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World Youth Day organizers in the United States and Poland remain in touch with diplomatic and security officials in their respective countries to ensure that pilgrims will remain safe during the festival of faith in late July.
Security is expected to be extremely tight in Krakow, Poland, the WYD host city, as authorities in both countries work to prevent any incident that would threaten visitors, said Paul Jarzembowski, World Youth Day USA coordinator and assistant director of youth and young adult ministries for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.
He told Catholic News Service current information indicates no threat to the celebration, scheduled for July 26-31.
“The pilgrims’ families can be assured that we’re in regular communication with the State Department, the organizers in Krakow and the Polish Embassy in the United States,” Jarzembowski said.
About 2 million people, including 30,000 Americans, are expected for the 14th international gathering of young people to celebrate their Catholic faith.
The USCCB will conduct a webinar on safety and security at 2 p.m. April 14. Information is available at bit.ly/1UrnhZE.
Jarzembowski’s office has devoted a section of its World Youth Day USA website to safety and security. It details how the USCCB is partnering with other organizations to address security concerns and offers tips on preparing for the trip.
Updates are also available on Facebook and on Twitter at @WYDUSA.
He cited the calls for prayers for peace from St. John Paul II at previous World Youth Day events in the 1980s and 1990s when attacks by extremists posed similar concerns. —CNS
