Five delegates from Bermuda will take part in this year's World Youth Day with Pope John Paul II.

It is expected that 200,0000 young people from around the world will gather in Denver, Colorado next month for the two-day event.

In addition to the Youth Day activities, the group will also attend a Youth Retreat near Keystone Mountain in the Rockies. Leading the retreat will be Father Ken Roberts, whose autobiography, "From Playboy to Priest'' became an international best-seller. He is well known in Bermuda since he led a large youth rally here last year.

"I'm excited that this little island is managing to send five people to this major international event which takes place in a different country each year,'' says organiser Mrs. Lucy Willitts, who will accompany the group. They are being sponsored by St. Patrick's Church and the Medjugorje Peace Plan Group.

Now they are busy organising car washes and bake sales in an effort to meet the $2,500 needed to finance the trip.

"We are going to give them $500 each but they have to raise the rest,'' explains Mrs. Willitts.

The delegates range in age from Cindy Repose, who at 12 years old, is the youngest, to Bank of Bermuda employee Mary De Silva, who is 21.

University student Francois Nguyen, 20, says he is excited at the thought of seeing the Pope.

"It should be a wonderful way to strengthen faith -- so few young people today care about faith and religion. It's something they tend to put on the shelf, thinking it's something just for older people.'' Mr. Nguyen, who attends Wesleyan University, acknowledges that religion is not a very popular topic amongst his fellow students.

"They are very independent and are ruled by their intellectual capacities, rather than by religion which is governed by faith and belief. It should be a great experience to be with thousands of other young people who do acknowledge the existence of God.'' Anyone who would like to assist the group in their fund-raising effort is asked to telephone Mrs. Willitts at 292-6185.

DENVER-BOUND -- Taking part in the Annual World Youth Day Conference which takes place in Denver in August will be, from left: Francois Nguyen, 20, Mary De Silva, 21, Mrs. Lucy Willitts who will accompany the group, Wendy Repose, 17, Cindy Repose, 12, and Dercia Cabral, 13.