(From our correspondents in Sydney) – "It is typical of Spain to always take part with many generous young people. The effort, including the financial effort, made for the occasion, that took us here on the other side of the world, means we feel like young people of the Church and want to speak to the world as witnesses of the Gospel". It was said by mgr. Gregorio Roldán, delegate of the Youth Pastoral of the archdiocese of Madrid, whom SIR met the day before the official opening of the 23rd World Youth Day. Looking at the crowds of pilgrims arrived in Australia, mgr. Roldán highlights that first John Paul II, then Benedict XVI have "the power to attract young people to the Church". Boys and girls coming from both ends of the world and many Europeans among them. Hence a wish: "We Madrilenians says the prelate hope Benedict XVI will convene the next WYD in Spain, maybe just in our city. For the moment it’s just a hope. Who knows if it’ll come true on Sunday 20th …".
