Pope to send daily text messages during World Youth Day

Published: 2008-05-09

SYDNEY, Australia (CNS) -- Pope Benedict XVI will send daily text messages directly to pilgrims during World Youth Day July 15-20 in Sydney, said youth day organizers. The pope's text messages of hope and inspiration will be carried by World Youth Day's official communications partner, Telstra, said a World Youth Day statement May 7. The Vatican has not commented. "We wanted to make WYD08 a unique experience by using new ways to connect with today's tech-savvy youth," said Auxiliary Bishop Anthony Fisher of Sydney, World Youth Day coordinator. A Telstra spokesperson said the GSM cell-phone networks running for World Youth Day "will mean many cell phones used by pilgrims from the United States will also work here." Pilgrims also can purchase a prepaid SIM card for their cell phones when they arrive in Australia. In addition to its official Web site -- www.wyd2008.org/index.php/en -- World Youth Day also will offer an online social networking site -- www.xt3.com -- to be launched in coming weeks.

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