Italy: from all over Europe with the Pope in Loreto

Palestinian, Israeli, Lebanese and Iraqi youth are also expected to be in Loreto with Benedict XVI (1-2 September 2007). They will form part of the 800 delegates from 50 countries of Europe and the Mediterranean who will join their Italian counterparts for the key event of the so-called Agora of Italian youth, the three-yearly youth pastoral mission promoted by the Italian Bishops’ Conference. The presence of foreign delegates represents an invitation to dialogue and exchange of experiences, as well as the opportunity to create friendships that hopefully will endure beyond Loreto. The Poles will be the most numerous contingent (100 delegates), followed by the French, Spanish, Croatians, Hungarians, Greeks, Russians, Portuguese and Slovenes. But the flags of Great Britain, Denmark, the Czech Republic, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Moldova, Holland, Austria, Switzerland and Ukraine will also flutter over the Montorso park (site of the meeting with Benedict XVI). Less numerous though of great significance will be the presence of youth from Algeria, Egypt, Tunisia, Jordan, Syria and Turkey. Many of the foreign delegates will be guests in the dioceses of San Marino, Ancona, Macerata, Foligno, Imola and Teramo. The latter city will host the delegation from Australia, where the next WYD will be held in Sydney from 15 to 20 July 2008.