Sydney - As the countdown begins for the World Youth Day celebrations, a 3.8-metre-high cross will begin a 15-day journey on July 1, in what event organizers Sunday called the event's answer to the Olympic torch relay. The cross, along with a Madonna image and an indigenous message stick, will travel from Wollongong south of Sydney across the bush and finally taken by ferry ride across Sydney Harbour for the July 15 opening of the six-day Roman Catholic festival, organizers said.
About 125,000 international visitors are expected in Sydney for the event, and up to 500,000 people are expected to attend a Mass officiated by Pope Benedict at the Randwick racecourse on July 20.
