There’s growing buzz about the upcoming World Youth Day in Australia, and now there are souvenirs to be had:

Catholic pilgrims and the public will be able to buy papal mementos after Sydney’s archbishop gave his blessing to indulging in “a little commercialism”.

Shoppers will be able to buy World Youth Day (WYD) souvenirs such as special WYD rosary beads, Pope Benedict XVI baseball caps, rugby jerseys and even teaspoons featuring a photograph of the pontiff.

Sydney Archbishop Cardinal George Pell opened one of at least four merchandise stores to be erected in Sydney for the six-day WYDay event.

Cardinal Pell said the church was not looking to make a profit from merchandise sales.

“The church doesn’t expect to make a profit,” Cardinal Pell said. “It was never a moneymaking venture.”

He said he hoped the company established to run WYD merchandising, Event Merchandising Group, made a profit.

“There’s nothing immoral with a little commercialism,” Cardinal Pell said.

“Our way of life is built on commercialism, on trade, on industry, on finance and people have got a right to make a living out of doing a good thing, which is spreading Christ’s message in a modern way.”

He said he expected merchandise, such as the “WYDGET” token trading bracelet, to be a big hit with pilgrims.

Chief Executive of Event Merchandise Group John Cooper said a “small percentage” of merchandising profits would got to the Catholic Church to help fund World Youth Day.