(From our correspondents in Sydney) For the final mass of WYD at Randwick (Sydney) this morning the organizing committee estimates a participation of over 500,000 persons, following the 235,000 present at yesterday evening’s Vigil. But while we await the official figures, some definite figures for this last act of the 23rd World Youth Day can be given. On the altar podium at Randwick there will be 420 bishops, 26 cardinals, a choir of 300 voices, and an orchestra of 80 musicians, while 3000 priests will be seated in the parterre. The Communion will be distributed not only by priests but also by 1000 acolytes and extraordinary ministers of the Eucharist. The rite will be concelebrated with Benedict XVI by Cardinal George Pell, Archbishop of Sydney, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Stanislaw Rylko, President of the Pontifical Council for the Laity, the Most Rev. Philip Wilson, President of the Australian Bishops, and Cardinal Sfeir, Patriarch of the Maronites (Lebanon).” ” ” “
