World Youth Day officials in Brazil unveil winning logo for 2013

RIO DE JANEIRO - Officials of World Youth Day 2013 unveiled the winning logo for the event at a ceremony attended by more than 100 Brazilian bishops, government officials and local organizers.

Gustavo Huguenin, 25, creator of the winning logo, is a Brazilian from the interior of Rio de Janeiro state. The contest was opened to anyone, and the logo was chosen by a Vatican council from more than 200 entries from around the world.

The logo shows Rio's most famous symbols -- Christ the Redeemer statue, Sugarloaf Mountain, the Brazilian coastline -- and the World Youth Day pilgrim's cross inside a heart symbolizing the heart of the disciple. The green, yellow and blue of the heart are the colors of the Brazilian flag.

Huguenin said he got the idea after reading a passage from the Gospel of St. Matthew. He said participation in the contest was an act of faith.

To celebrate the occasion Feb. 7, the Christ the Redeemer statue was lit in different colors, representing the 150 countries that will participate in World Youth Day.

Organizers confirmed that World Youth Day will be held July 23-28, 2013, with Pope Benedict XVI and youths from all over the world.

Last year's World Youth Day in Madrid was attended by more than1 million people.