Ad Maoirem De Gloriam

MADRID, Spain, AUG. 21, 2011 (Zenit.org).- A delegation of young Brazilians present at Cuatro Vientos in Madrid erupted with applause at Benedict XVI's official announcement that the next World Youth Day would take place in their country in 2013. The Pope, who would be 86 years old at the next youth day in August 2013, told the delegation in Portuguese: "I hope to be able to meet you in 2 years (...) in Rio de Janeiro." The young Brazilians danced as they listened to the announcement. Expressing his hopes for the occasion, the Holy Father added: "We ask the Lord that already in this moment he help with his strength those who will organize it and smooth the path of the young people of the whole world that they may again join the Pope in this beautiful city of Brazil." The young people of Spain symbolically handed over the World Youth Day Cross to the Brazilians. Commenting on this gesture, the Pontiff entrusted "to all present this great task: bri...

ROME, ITALY, August 15 (CNA/Europa Press) - The Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro will host the next international celebration of World Youth Day, which will take place in 2013. The announcement was confirmed by Vatican spokesman Father Federico Lombardi, who said the date for the event was set a year early in order to avoid logistical conflicts with the World Cup, which Brazil will host in 2014. Traditionally, Pope Benedict would have announced the site of the 2013 World Youth Day while in Madrid this week, however the confirmation was likely made early due to comments by Brazilian officials that the city had been chosen. The governor of the state of Rio de Janeiro, Sergio Cabral, and the city's mayor, Eduardo Pase are planning to be in Madrid this week to attend the youth event. Some 14,000 young people from Brazil will also attend World Youth Day 2011.