” ” ” “The US Catholic Church delegation taking part in Sydney’s World Youth Day is the largest one, according to what is reported in a Bishops’ conference statement: 15,000 youngsters, organized in 1,140 groups coming from various dioceses, religious associations and schools, together with 50 bishops and Card. Francis George, President of the US Bishops’ Conference. Two American kids will take part in WYD in a special way: one, coming from the Orange diocese, will be amongst the 12 youths who will have lunch with the Pope on July 18, while the other, from the Austin diocese in Texas, will receive the sacrament of confirmation on Sunday, July 20. For the first time during an international WYD, Mass will be celebrated by Card. George for all US pilgrims who are in Sydney in the morning of Saturday, July 19. A free concert is scheduled to take place before Mass, in which musicians from the Oregon Catholic Press and World Library Publication will be playing. The Australian organizers have estimated that about 100.000 young Australians and 125.000 youngsters from the rest of the world will take part in Sydney’s WYD.
