World Youth Day costs increase

SYDNEY, Australia -- The estimated cost of staging World Youth Day in Sydney has increased by 50 percent to US$137.5 million, said a briefing paper circulated to local priests by the Sydney archdiocese in early March.

The briefing paper said almost haft the costs would be covered by pilgrim fees. The rest would be made up by federal grants, the church, donors, business partners and sponsors.

However, the paper quoted a Sydney Chamber of Commerce report that World Youth Day will deliver long-term economic benefits in excess of US$210 million.

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