World Youth Day

The Latest

The Said di Lavor Family made the trip from Brasilia to Rio de Janeiro for the 2013 World Youth Day. Estefania Aguirre/CNA.

Brazilian family uses WYD as pro-life opportunity

Jul 26, 2013

The Said di Lavor family did not leave their commitment to protecting unborn children at home when they made the... Read more

Pope Francis begins his popemobile tour of the May 15, 2013 general audience in St. Peter's Square. Stephen Driscoll/CNA.

Pope adds meeting with youth detainees to schedule

Jul 26, 2013

The Vatican's spokesman says Pope Francis will meet with five local imprisoned youths on Friday morning, and that the Pope... Read more

Cardinal Oscar Rodríguez Maradiaga, Archbishop of Tegucigalpa, blesses a WYD pilgrim.

Honduran cardinal says saints are a Christian's work of art

Jul 25, 2013

The Archbishop of Tegucigalpa encouraged young people to follow the path of sanctity during his World Youth Day catechesis July... Read more

Pope Francis at the official welcome ceremony of the 28th World Youth Day at Rio's Copacabana Beach, July 25, 2013.

Faith radically transforms us, Pope tells young people

Jul 25, 2013

The virtue of faith “accomplishes a revolution” in the lives of believers, which brings our way of thinking and acting... Read more

CNA

Location for World Youth Day vigil changed due to rain

Jul 25, 2013

After three days of rain in Rio de Janeiro, World Youth Day planners have decided to change the location of... Read more

Sophie Morinière.

Over 1 million youth pray with Pope for Sophie

Jul 25, 2013

Pope Francis asked for a moment of silence for 21-year-old pilgrim Sophie Morinière, who was on her way to participate... Read more

Pope Francis addresses World Youth Day pilgrims from his home country of Argentina on July 25, 2013.

Pope to youth: shake things up, bring Church to the streets

Jul 25, 2013

Pope Francis told a gathering of some 30,000 youth from his homeland that they are to “make a mess,” shaking... Read more

Pope Francis addresses the community of Varginha July 25, 2013.

Pope in Rio slum: Solidarity with the poor is not optional

Jul 25, 2013

Speaking amid cheers in the soccer field of a Rio de Janeiro shanty town, Pope Francis urged people who are... Read more

Archbishop emeritus Vincent M. Concessao of Delhi gives a catechesis session at Our Lady of Mercy School July 24, 2013. Estefania Aguirre/CNA.

Archbishop tells pilgrims meeting Jesus changes your life

Jul 25, 2013

The archbishop emeritus of Delhi, India told English-speaking pilgrims during their first catechesis session of World Youth Day that an... Read more

Fr. Federico Lombardi at the July 22 press conference at the WYD 2013 media center in Rio. Michelle Bauman/CNA.

Vatican spokesman: Pope's energy strikes us all

Jul 25, 2013

Despite jetlag, rainy weather and an intense schedule, Pope Francis is showing no sign of slowing down as he meets... Read more

Rodrigo the umbrella seller waits for customers in the rain on July 24, 2013. Walter Sanchez Silva/CNA.

Unusual weather not dampening enthusiasm in Rio

Jul 25, 2013

Rio de Janeiro experienced another day of rain on Wednesday along with lower than normal temperatures, forcing World Youth Day... Read more

Canadian pilgrims at a July 24 World Youth Day catechesis session

Canadians find greater unity at Rio’s World Youth Day

Jul 24, 2013

A group of Canadian pilgrims said this World Youth Day is more fun and the youth feel “more united” than... Read more

Pilgrims attended the opening Mass of the 28th World Youth Day at Copacabana Beach July 23, 2013.

Pilgrims in Rio see fellowship as World Youth Day highlight

Jul 24, 2013

By Michelle La Rosa

Wind and rain on Copacabana beach did not stop more than half a million young people from experiencing the global... Read more

Cuban Flag.

Despite repression, Cuban youth celebrate WYD in Brazil

Jul 24, 2013

A group of young pilgrims from Cuba have arrived in Brazil to celebrate the 28th World Youth Day despite initial... Read more

Pope Francis during his July 24 visit to St. Francis of Assisi Hospital in Rio de Janeiro.

Pope embraces, voices love for drug addicts at Rio hospital

Jul 24, 2013

At a hospital in Rio de Janeiro, Pope Francis said his namesake St. Francis of Assisi put his conversion into... Read more

Auxiliary Bishop John Sherrington of Westminster gives the morning catechesis for WYD pilgrims July 24, 2013.

Love of Christ helps us find identity, bishop teaches

Jul 24, 2013

By Michelle La Rosa

By experiencing the love of God and sharing it with those around us, we will find the answers to our... Read more

Scene from The Logic of God performed during the 28th World Youth Day.

Blessed Frassati a 'perfect' fit for World Youth Day play

Jul 24, 2013

After being contacted by World Youth Day officials to perform a play going along with this year’s theme, a theater... Read more

Pope Francis celebrates Mass at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Aparecida during the 28th World Youth Day.

'God acts and he surprises us,' Pope teaches at Marian shrine

Jul 24, 2013

Openness to being surprised by God is an attitude which marks the life of a Christian, Pope Francis said in... Read more

Pope Francis' car is swarmed by pilgrims as he makes his way to Guanabara Palace on July 22, 2013. ANSA/FERMO IMMAGINE SKY.

Pope's unpredictability challenges security planners

Jul 24, 2013

By Andrea Gagliarducci

The rules for the Pope’s security during international trips have had to change since Pope Francis was elected, bringing into... Read more

Pope Francis arrives at the airport in Rio.

Pope rearranges Rio schedule to meet with Argentine youth

Jul 24, 2013

By Michelle La Rosa

Pope Francis has modified his World Youth Day schedule to plan a meeting this Thursday with several thousand young people... Read more