World Youth Day

The Latest

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

Auxiliary Bishop Cristian Contreras Villarroel of Santiago, Chile at the 28th World Youth Day in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on July 23, 2013.

Bishop says young people in Rio are pilgrims, not tourists

Jul 23, 2013

Auxiliary Bishop Cristian Contreras Villarroel of Santiago, Chile, says the hundreds of thousands of young people in Rio de Janeiro... Read more

Archbishop Orani Tempesta of Rio de Janeiro leads the opening Mass of the 28th World Youth Day.

'Infect everyone' with joy of Christ, says Rio archbishop

Jul 23, 2013

Archbishop Orani Tempesta of Rio de Janeiro greeted pilgrims at World Youth Day's opening Mass, urging them to spread the... Read more

Cardinal Timothy Dolan.

Cardinal Dolan: WYD catechesis will cover 'beautiful themes'

Jul 23, 2013

By Michelle La Rosa

Held at each World Youth Day as an opportunity to provide formation for participants, the three catechesis sessions in Rio... Read more

Paraguayan pilgrims Fabricio, Jose and Diego at World Youth Day, July 23, 2013.

'I hope the Pope sets our hearts on fire,' says Paraguayan WYD pilgrim

Jul 23, 2013

Fabricio, Jose and Diego, three World Youth Day pilgrims from Paraguay, say their deep desire that Pope Francis will set... Read more

 Pope Francis receives a soccer jersey from the Fluminense Football Club.

Brazilian soccer team gives Pope personalized jersey

Jul 23, 2013

After arriving last night by helicopter at Laranjeiras Stadium, the home of the Fluminense Soccer Club, Pope Francis received a... Read more

Gustavo Silva Clemente at WYD in Rio.

Young boy speechless after giving flowers to Pope

Jul 23, 2013

The boy who greeted the Holy Father upon his arrival in Brazil said he could not find the words to... Read more

Young people traveled from Mozambique to Brazil for World Youth Day 2013.

Exhausting trip to Rio was 'worth it,' Mozambique youths say

Jul 23, 2013

A group of young people who traveled 18 hours on a plane to make it to Brazil for World Youth... Read more

Fr. Federico Lombardi at the July 22, 2013 press conference at the WYD media center in Rio de Janeiro.

Pope very happy with enthusiastic Rio reception

Jul 23, 2013

Pope Francis arrived in Rio de Janeiro on Monday to a jubilant welcome that at times involved crowds swarming the... Read more

Matt Maher in concert, October 21, 2012.

Singer says WYD offers chance to experience 'global Church'

Jul 22, 2013

By Michelle La Rosa

Award-winning Catholic musician Matt Maher sees this year’s World Youth Day gathering as an opportunity to recognize the universal nature... Read more

CNA

Bomb found at Aparecida shrine ahead of Pope's visit

Jul 22, 2013

The Brazilian military discovered an improvised bomb in a parking garage bathroom at the shrine of Our Lady of Aparecida... Read more

CNA

Young people with disabilities to perform musical in Rio

Jul 22, 2013

At World Youth Day in Rio de Janeiro this week, a group of Peruvian youth with disabilities are set to... Read more

Pope Francis gives his first address at the Presidential Palace in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Pope comes to spark 'flame of fraternal love' in Rio

Jul 22, 2013

Affirming the “great heart” of the Brazilian people, Pope Francis said at a welcome ceremony that he comes to World... Read more

World Youth Day media center in Rio.

Thousands of journalists swarm Copacabana beach for World Youth Day

Jul 22, 2013

Around 6,000 journalists from around the globe are flocking to Rio de Janeiro's Copacabana beach this week to cover the... Read more

Pilgrims arrive at the Rio de Janeiro airport for World Youth Day 2013.

World Youth Day participants hope to build peaceful future

Jul 22, 2013

By Michelle La Rosa

Journalists from across the world heard stories of faith and determination from young people attending World Youth Day 2013 in... Read more

CNA

Impoverished youth will give Marian image to Brazilian slum

Jul 22, 2013

A group of 67 young people from the slums in Buenos Aires heading to Brazil for World Youth Day will... Read more

Icon of the Virgin of the World Youth Days.

Rio archbishop: World Youth Day shows young people's thirst for God

Jul 22, 2013

As the official start of World Youth Day nears, Archbishop Orani Joao Tempesta of Rio de Janeiro reflected on the... Read more

CNA

Pope targets 'throwaway culture' during Brazil visit

Jul 22, 2013

Pope Francis said as he flew to Rio de Janeiro that he is going to meet young people and help... Read more

Pope Francis boards the papal plane carrying his black bag at Rome's Fiumicino Airport on July 22, 2013. ANSA/TELENEWS.

Pope Francis' style changes papal flight

Jul 22, 2013

As he boarded the plane for Rio de Janeiro and the 28th World Youth Day, Pope Francis brought his down-to-earth... Read more

World Youth Day pilgrims at Immaculate Conception Church (

WYD pilgrims help rebuild quake-damaged Chilean church

Jul 21, 2013

Forty Australian World Youth Day pilgrims made a special stop in Chile on Saturday to help rebuild a 200-year-old church... Read more