A city for 150 thousand young people. That’s the one the WYD organising committee is building on Barangaroo Pier, the 22-hectare area in Sydney Bay that will host some of the highlights of the Australian WYD, for instance the opening Mass, the welcoming ceremony for Benedict XVI, the six final stations of the Way of the Cross and some of the Youth festival. For this reason, they are building large screens, stages, press stands, toilets, restaurants, streetlamps, and also, as announced by the bishop in charge of the WYD, mgr. Anthony Fisher, "a big altar, 4 metres tall, for Mass and for hailing the Pope". Barangaroo Pier has been offered by the Federal Government of New South Wales, which, after the WYD, will convert it into a residential, business and recreational centre. The Pope’s arrival on the pier has been planned for 3.30 pm on July 17th after a 45-minute trip around the bay. From there he will give his first public address in Australia. In the meantime, some details about the Papal celebrations are beginning to spill out. On July 20th during final Mass the Pontiff will officiate Confirmation to 24 young people, 14 from Australia and 10 from all over the world.
