World Youth Day

>World Youth Day

World Youth Day (WYD) is a meeting of young people from all over the world with the Pope. It is a pilgrimage, a youth festival, an expression of the universal Church and a strong moment of evangelization of the youth world.

With a clearly Catholic identity, it is open to everyone, whether they are closer or further away from the Church.

Since its first edition, which took place in the city of Rome, in 1986, World Youth Day has proved to be a laboratory of faith, a birthplace of vocations and an instrument of evangelization and transformation of the Church, always trying to reach new generations of Catholics, thus making the word of God known.

WYD aims to provide all participants with an experience of the universal Church, fostering a personal encounter with Jesus Christ. It is a new impetus to the faith, hope and charity of the entire community in the host country.

With young people as protagonists, World Youth Day will be for the Church “a moment of revitalization that will put the dynamism of the Portuguese Church to the test”, said Archbishop of Lisbon, Cardinal Manuel Clemente.

1985
Rome, Italy
Saint Peter's Square, Palm Sunday (31st april)
1987
Buenos Aires, Argentina
“We ourselves have known and put our faith in God’s love towards ourselves.” (1 Jn 4,16)
1989
Santiago da Compostela, Spain
“I am the way, the truth, and the life” (Jn 14,6)
1991
Czestochowa, Poland
“You have received a spirit of sonship” (Romans 8,15)
1993
Denver, USA
“I came that they might have life, and have it to the full” (Jn 10,10)
1995
Manila, Philippines
"As the Father sent me, so am I sending you" (Jn 20,21)
1997
Paris, France
“Teacher, where are you staying? Come and see” (Jn 1,38-39)
2000
Rome, Italy
Jubilee – "The Word became flesh and dwelt among us” (Jn 1,14)
2002
Toronto, Canada
“You are the salt of the earth; You are the light of the world” (Mt 5, 13-14)
2005
Cologne, Germany
“We have come to worship him” (Mt 2,2)
2008
Sidney, Australia
“You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses” (Acts 1, 8)
2011
Madrid, Spain
“Rooted and built up in Jesus Christ, Firm in the Faith” (Col 2, 7)
2013
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
“Go and Make Disciples of All Nations” (Mt 28, 19)
2016
Kraków, Poland
“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy” (Mt 5, 7)
2019
Panama City, Panama
"I am the servant of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word" (Lk 1,38)