Brazil likely to host 2011 World Youth Day

Brazil's Roman Catholic Church is eager to host the 2011 World Youth Day.

Photo: Brazil likely to host 2011 World Youth Day

England and Spain also want to host the event, president of the National Conference of Brazilian Bishops, Archbishop Geraldo Lyrio Rocha, said at a news conference.

Rocha said Brazil put in its bid last May when Pope Benedict XVI visited the South American country. However, the press conference was the first time church leaders publicly announced the country's interest in hosting the event.

He said the cities of Rio de Janeiro and Belo Horizonte were likely venues.

The next World Youth Day, which is held once every three years, will be in Sydney, Australia in July of 2008. The event was last held in Cologne, Germany in 2005.

Rocha said the 2001 host country will likely be announced in July in Australia, during the 2008 event.