THE World Youth Day Cross and Icon are symbols of hope and belonging for people across the globe, according to Bishop of the Sandhurst Diocese Joe Grech.
“Pope John Paul II gave it to us and said take it all over the world as a sign of Jesus’ love for everybody, it makes us understand Jesus loves us,” he said.
“It’s not just a Catholic thing, it’s for everybody.
“Our people need hope, everybody needs hope.
“When something says, ‘hey, rememeber you’re special’, they come.”
As Bishop Joe blessed the cross, icon and those within its presence with water taken from each area of the Sandhurst Diocese, he asked God to offer his blessing to all, particularly young people.
“You have gifted every one of them, may they come to know their giftedness,” he said.
His thoughts were echoed by fellow religious leaders.
Anglican Bishop Andrew Curnow said having the cross in the city the week before Holy Week was remarkable.
“I congratulate the Catholic Church on bringing a focus at this time of year as we move towards Holy Week,” he said.
“It is a symbol of hope for the world, and hope for all the communities it touches.”
According to Catholic College Bendigo’s director of Catholic Identity, Kate Fogarty, the significance of the WYD Cross is manifold – it carries the prayers and dreams of young people all over the world.  
“The Cross has been to many places where young people wish for a better world: It was smuggled behind the Iron Curtain and it has been to Ground Zero in New York,” she said.
“The Cross seems to have a charisma all of its own.  There’s nothing else like it in the world which all Christian people can gather around and pray as one community.  
“I think people will be surprised what an impact it makes.”
Ms Fogarty said the cross would link the Bendigo catholic community to the world in preparation for World Youth Day.
More than 200 young people from Bendigo are expected to attend the Sydney event.
“The kids are already really excited – it’s a once-in-a lifetime opportunity,” she said.