The visit is being coordinated by the Diocesan Youth Commission (KDŻ) and Emigrant’s Commission.

KDŻ has already started made arrangements with APS Bank and Emirates Airlines to make this journey and opportunity feasible for as many youths as possible.   Contacts have been made with the Maltese and Gozitan communities in Melbourne and Sydney as, although WYD celebrations will be held mainly in Sydney the visit to Australia will be extended to allow time for pilgrims to visit both places.   These pilgrims will be hosted by Maltese families living in Australia and a programme of activities is being coordinated at both places.  

WYD is a pilgrimage of young people and a festival of encounter and solidarity. The Pope’s invitation is directed to young people from all over the world to join him in a specified city for this celebration of faith.   Following WYD in 2005, in Cologne Germany, where some 600 Maltese youths were present amongst the hundreds of thousands of others, KDŻ is seeking to encourage youth to take up this opportunity and travel to Australia in 2008.  

The preparation journey for this pastoral visit and World Youth Day will start the coming weekend.