U.S. delegates gear up for World Youth Day

Published: 2005-06-24

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- More than 23,000 U.S. pilgrims will be joining 70 U.S. bishops at World Youth Day in Cologne, Germany, Aug. 16-21. Pope Benedict XVI will attend the event on what is expected to be his first foreign trip as pope. In the United States, 833 groups have signed up to participate, representing nearly all U.S. states and 81 percent of dioceses and eparchies in the United States, according to a news release from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. An additional 300,000 young people from around the world have registered for the event. The German bishops' conference has set a goal of 400,000 registrants and 600 bishops attending World Youth Day. There will also be more than 20,000 volunteers.

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