World Youth Day's 500-Day Countdown

SYDNEY, Australia, MARCH 2, 2007 (Zenit.org).- With 500 days to go, organizers of World Youth Day 2008 are now accepting group registrations.

The youth day event in Sydney -- July 15-20, 2008 -- is expected to draw 500,000 pilgrims. Organizers decided to open up group registration now in order to accommodate the large numbers.

Meanwhile, Australia's Deputy Prime Minister Mark Vaile announced that all registered foreign pilgrims will receive a three-month tourist visa, free of charge.

"A three-month visa will allow those visitors to explore more of Australia while they're here, and allows other parts of the country to share in the hosting of World Youth Day," Vaile said.

A DVD, "Sydney: Witness the Spirit," will also be issued worldwide and made available online as part of the invitation for the event.

The video features testimonies from young Australians, images from New South Wales and Australian tourism campaigns, as well as personal invitations to attend the event from the archbishop of Sydney, Cardinal George Pell, and the youth day coordinator, Auxiliary Bishop Anthony Fisher.

Individual registration will open in mid-2007. Paper registration will be available for those who do not have Internet access.