Return to Transcripts main page
CNN Live At Daybreak
Pope Gearing Up to Attend World Youth Day
Aired July 25, 2002 - 06:34 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.
ANDERSON COOPER, CNN ANCHOR: In Toronto, Pope John Paul II is gearing up to attend World Youth Day after two days of rest. More than 250,000 people are expected to take part today in the papal visit.
CNN's Eric Philips has more.
ERIC PHILIPS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, good morning.
Though he appeared frail when he arrived here on Tuesday, Pope John Paul II was determined he would not miss this World Youth Day. He has been resting on nearby Strawberry Island since he got here, but tonight, the more than 200,000 people who have registered for this event will have a chance to see the pontiff in the flesh.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
GROUP (singing): Yes, Lord, yes, Lord, yes, yes, Lord...
PHILIPS (voice-over): They have had a good time celebrating at concerts.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The Lord be with you.
PHILIPS: And also at large-scale mass, but most of the hundreds of thousands of World Youth Day pilgrims here at Exhibition Place in Toronto have not yet accomplished their main goal: to see Pope John Paul II in person.
They watched him arrive via large-screen TV on Tuesday as he carefully made his way off the plane, and they listened intently to his words of greeting.
POPE JOHN PAUL II: Young people from all parts of the world are gathering for the World Youth Day. They represent the future of the world.
PHILIPS: A world that now seems larger to many of them.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: When you are at your church, it's easy just to think that that's your church. But here, you get to see like the youth of the world, and it really emphasizes the fact that we are part of the universal church.
PHILIPS: Participants have come in droves from more than 100 countries, but each one is seeking something quite personal.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I am hoping that the pope will be able to give me some inspiring words that I can really take with me as I go on to college.
PHILIPS: Event organizers are downplaying the sex scandals of recent months involving dozens of U.S. priests.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: In spite of the scandals and because of them, we go forward.
PHILIPS: The youth admit the scandals mean they have to willingly stand up for what they believe.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: All the time, every day of my life.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We're willing to pull it through whatever troubles it may have.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
PHILIPS: Tonight, there will be a papal welcoming ceremony at 5:00 p.m. local time, where the pope will address the crowd. The theme of this year's World Youth Day: You are the salt of the earth; you are the light of the world.
Live in Toronto, I am Eric Philips -- back to you.
COOPER: Thanks, Eric.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com.
