Australian media personality Ray martin will host the official broadcast of World Youth Day 2008.
Mr Martin will lead a presentation of team consisting of clergy and young people to deliver the official broadcast of the week-long youth event to the English speaking world.
“In almost 40 years as a broadcast journalist, I have never been involved in something quite like World Youth Day.”
“The sheer size and scale of the event is amazing – 125,000 overseas pilgrims arriving here to celebrate their faith with 100,000 young Australians for six days and nights,” Mr Martin said.
“There’s also a Papal visit and potentially the biggest gathering of people Australia has ever seen.”
“It didn’t take me long to realise I had to be involved.”
The Archbishop of Sydney and chairman of the 2008 World Youth Day, Cardinal George Pell, said Ray Martin was both an outstanding broadcast journalist and a committed community activist.
“We are delighted to have somebody of Ray’s stature heading the official broadcast of World Youth Day.”
“His tireless efforts for the cause of those in need, especially indigenous reconciliation and the Fred Hollows Foundation, are well known among his many commitments to the community,” Cardinal Pell said.
“Ray Martin will ensure the world sees and hears a most professional and fascinating coverage of this remarkable event.”
Sydney will host the 23rd World Youth Day from 15-20 July.
World Youth Day is expected to attract around 500,000 people to the Final Mass before Pope Benedict XVI on his first visit to Australia.
Video: Yasmin Bright