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CNN Live Today

Major Catholic Event Kicks Off Tomorrow in Canada

Aired July 24, 2002 - 12:54   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: A major Catholic event kicks off tomorrow in Canada. Pope John Paul II will preside over World Youth Day and the more than 200,000 young followers who have been drawn to this festival.

CNN's Frank Buckley is covering the event for us. He joins us now live from Toronto.

It's busier than it was yesterday, Frank.

FRANK BUCKLEY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, and people are really -- once again getting excited about seeing the pope. That will happen tomorrow here at Exhibition Place. This is where people are coming through, the young people continue to come in, to these prince's gates. And this is where they come in for the activity. They all go through a security screening here. Everyone coming in is wanded as they come through. And then when they come in, they are handed, as they come back through this gate area, they are handed a rosary by one of the volunteers here, one of the many volunteers who are here.

And then, tomorrow, right back in this direction, if you look back behind my shoulder and beyond that way, that's where the main stage is, and that's where the pope will actually be appearing. Really quite a festive atmosphere, and the organizers of the visit of the pope have suggested that we talk to the young people. So that's what we're going to do now. We are talking to Arthur from Poland, Stephanie from Canada, and Andre from the Ukraine. First of all, I want to ask Arthur, the Pope is Polish, first non-Italian in more than 470 years to be the pope. Tell me about the pride of the Polish people of this pope.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We are very, very happy that the pope is from Poland. Everybody loves him. We pray with him. He gave us the Lord. There is a very wonderful man. We are very, very happy. We love him.

BUCKLEY: Thank you, Arthur.

Stephanie, you are from Canada, this is the host nation. It's such an international gathering , with people from 169 nations. What is that like for you as a Canadian?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It makes me really happy, because this is a very multicultural country, and we are very happy that everyone from around the world comes here it celebrate Christ. BUCKLEY: OK, thank you.

Andre, you are from the Ukraine. You are the official representative of the Ukraine. You will be on the stage with the pontiff. Tell me about your nervousness or excitement about that.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: There no nervousness whatsoever. A month ago, if you told me I would be in the position I am, I would say you, you were crazy. Now I have the responsibility, but it's a huge honor at the same time. And just to be up there representing not only my homeland, the Ukraine, but pilgrims from around the world that have come to meet each other and celebrate their faith and peace is an unbelievable opportunity, something that words are difficult to express.

BUCKLEY: Andre, Stephanie, and Arthur, we appreciate your time. Just a few of the more than 200,000 young people here for World Youth Day -- Kyra?

PHILLIPS: All right, Frank Buckley, thank you.

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