The arrival of the cross and the icon of the Virgin of the World Youth Day in Australia on July 1st "is an epoch-making moment". This was written for SIR by mgr. Anthony Fisher, the bishop who coordinates the XXIII WYD (Sidney, 15-20 July 2008), in a release published today on old.agensir.it. "Young people from all over the country have got ready for this day and for the pilgrimage that will follow. There have been unprecedented levels of cooperation, expectations are palpable. We already feel the realisation of the theme of the WYD, because through the Holy Spirit the young are becoming the witnesses of God’s love". The two symbols of the WYD will be welcomed at Sydney Airport by thousands of young people as well as by the president of the Australian Bishops Conference, archbishop Philip Wilson, the Australian Prime Minister, John Howard, and the Prime Minister of the New South Wales, Morris Iemma. “Receive the Power”, the anthem of the WYD 2008, will be publicly performed for the first time. "I know 1st July the attention of all Australians will be on us he concludes . Australia needs this cross, a simple yet powerful sign of Christ’s love. May this journey prepare the young Australians for the WYD and our land to be a welcoming place for Benedict XVI and the young people from all over the world".
