Major WYD 2013 events to take place in Copacabana beach, Sta. Cruz Air Base

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THOSE who attended the last World Youth Day (WYD) in Madrid, Spain won’t forget the Pope’s Opening Mass at the Plaza de Cibeles and the Closing ceremonies at the Cuatro Vientos Aerodome. But those going to participate in the next WYD in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil should look forward to being at the Copacabana Beach and the Santa Cruz Air Base for these events.

Organizers in Brazil recently announced the that Copacabana Beach and the Santa Cruz Air Base will be the venue for the main events of the 27th WYD, which is set to take place in Rio de Janeiro from July 23 to 28 next year.

An article posted at rio2013.com said Archbishop Orani Joao Tempesta said Copacabana will be the venue for the opening Mass, the welcoming ceremony with the Pope and the Via Crucis – the event’s traditional Way of the Cross procession.

“We will begin the main events under the protection of Mary – Copacabana Beach is named after Our Lady of Copacabana – at the place where large events have traditionally been held in Rio de Janeiro and that will now have the privilege of hosting these events and welcoming young people from all over the world,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Santa Cruz Air Base, on the western side of the city, will be the venue for the vigil on July 27 and the closing Mass on July 28, where some two million young people are expected to gather. Rio2013.com said that the air base is operated by the Brazilian Air Force and covers an area of nearly 3.5 square miles.

Aside from its natural beauty, Rio de Janeiro is know as a pilgrim site primarily for the Christ the Redeemer statue overlooking the city. The WYD host diocese has asked city officials to allow the shrine of Christ the Redeemer to be opened 24 hours a day for the duration of the WYD. (YouthPinoy)

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