More than 200 volunteers will be involved in this initiative, while the confessors will take their turns at the 300 places prepared for confession.  During these three days dedicated to reconciliation, the confessors will be available from seven in the morning until midnight, and naturally they will swell the numbers of the many priests present in more than 300 churches in the city and the surrounding dioceses, involved in hospitality to the young pilgrims.

Individual confession will be prepared for by moments of prayer.  Examination of the conscience will be accompanied by the reading of texts, and by gestures and signs specially prepared for WDY 2000.  All this will take place while every day  the Holy Eucharist will be celebrated internationally at four different moments.  It will be an exceptional opportunity to live the experience of God’s welcoming forgiveness with joy, to thank Him for his gifts and  to celebrate along with countless friends.  Watching over this moment of intense faith will be the “Cross of the World Day of Youth”, which after fifteen years and seven world encounters, is returning to Rome.  Every evening, around the Cross, as in a great “open-air sanctuary”, the young people will gather in silent worship.

Once more, they will be taking up a specific exhortation by the Pope:  “Young people of every continent, do not fear to be the saints of the new millennium!  Be contemplative, and lovers of prayer (….)  To realise this great project of a life commitment, continue to listen to His word, receive strength from the Sacraments, and especially from the Eucharist and penance”  (From the message of Pope John Paul II for the fifteenth World Day of Youth).