World Youth Day

The Latest

Father Rob Galea will perform "Emmanuel Forever" with Shevin McCullough of Studio 3:16 at WYD2023 in Lisbon.

Florida recording artist to perform at World Youth Day 2023

Jul 20, 2023

By Francesca Pollio Fenton

Shevin McCullough from Studio 3:16 will join Australian singer-songwriter Father Rob Galea at World Youth Day to perform a new... Read more

Members of "Priests in Concert" perform to raise money for youth to attend World Youth Day 2023 in Lisbon, Portugal.

Group of priests start band to raise money to send youth to World Youth Day 2023

Jul 16, 2023

By Francesca Pollio Fenton

“Priests in Concert” is composed of nine priests from the Archdiocese of Washington. Read more

Bishop Américo Aguiar.

WYD is an invitation to young people to experience God, explains future Portuguese cardinal

Bishop Américo Aguiar, an auxiliary bishop of Lisbon, made the statement July 6 in an interview with RTP Notícias. Read more

Pedro Silva, in one of the confessionals that he helped build over the last few months in prison.

From prison to World Youth Day: Man builds 50 confessionals to be used for pilgrims

Jul 8, 2023

By Clara Raimundo

After six years in prison, Pedro Silva will soon find himself at WYD2023 where the confessionals he built will be... Read more

The official logo of World Youth Day Lisbon. Photo courtesy Beatriz Roque Antunez.

One month until World Youth Day, a look at the numbers

Jul 2, 2023

By Clara Raimundo

Some 313,000 from 151 countries have completed their registrations already, including 14,435 Americans. Read more

Pope Francis prays in front of a crucifix during his general audience on Oct. 26, 2022.

Pope Francis sends heartfelt message to 17-year-old girl suffering from serious illness

Jun 23, 2023

By Francesca Pollio Fenton

“Edna, I received your letter; thank you! Thank you for your tenderness and thank you for the peace in your... Read more

A statue of St. Anthony in Lisbon’s Church of St. Anthony.

Here’s what the Portuguese want you to know about St. Anthony of Padua before World Youth Day

Jun 13, 2023

By Courtney Mares

The famous Franciscan saint was not born where most people assume he was. In August, World Youth Day participants can... Read more

A screenshot from Pope Francis' May 4 video message to young people attending World Youth Day 2023 in Lisbon, Portugal.

Here is Pope Francis’ schedule for World Youth Day 2023 in Lisbon

Jun 6, 2023

By Hannah Brockhaus

Pope Francis’ schedule for his trip to Portugal for World Youth Day 2023 was published by the Vatican on Tuesday. Read more

Pope Francis at the Wednesday general audience in St. Peter's Square on June 17, 2015.

It’s official: Pope Francis will travel to World Youth Day, visit Fatima

May 22, 2023

By Courtney Mares

The Lisbon trip will mark the 86-year-old pope’s fourth World Youth Day after taking part in the international Catholic gatherings... Read more

The Vatican has withdrawn a commemorative stamp for the 2023 World Youth Day.

Vatican withdraws World Youth Day 2023 stamp after criticism in Portugal

May 19, 2023

By Kevin J. Jones

The stamp’s design drew negative comments because it “recalls a colonial past very distant from Pope Francis’ message of universal... Read more

A screenshot from Pope Francis' May 4 video message to young people attending World Youth Day 2023 in Lisbon, Portugal.

‘See you in Lisbon,’ Pope Francis shares message 3 months before World Youth Day 2023

May 4, 2023

By Hannah Brockhaus

The message was published on May 4, just under three months before the Aug. 1-6 international gathering. Read more

Pope Francis greets World Youth Day pilgrims in Panama.

PHOTOS: A look back at 10 years of Pope Francis’ participation in World Youth Days

Mar 11, 2023

By Joe Bukuras

In the 10 years of his papacy, the Holy Father has exhorted young people at World Youth Days to answer... Read more

Logos of WYD Lisbon 2023 and the 2030 Agenda.

Spanish bishop: Reference to UN’s Agenda 2030 on World Youth Day website was ‘a mistake’

Jan 31, 2023

By CNA Staff

The bishop of Orihuela-Alicante in Spain, José Ignacio Munilla, called the reference to the United Nations’ Agenda 2030 on the... Read more

Pope Francis greets pilgrims near the Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima during the 100th anniversary celebration of the Fatima apparitions on May 12, 2017.

Pope Francis: World Youth Day 2023 in Lisbon will open horizons, hearts

Jan 20, 2023

By Hannah Brockhaus

“Get ready for this: to open horizons, to open your hearts,” Pope Francis said. Read more

Pope Benedict XVI returns to his homeland for his first international event since being elected pope. He participated in World Youth Day in Cologne, Germany Aug. 16–21, 2005.

PHOTOS: A look back at Pope Benedict XVI’s participation in World Youth Days

Jan 3, 2023

By Joe Bukuras

On each World Youth Day, the late pope exhorted young people to follow the guidance of the Gospel by using... Read more

Portugal's President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa takes a selfie with volunteers from WYD Lisbon 2023.

President of Portugal registers for World Youth Day 2023: Here’s how you can participate

Oct 31, 2022

By CNA Staff

According to President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, the event “will be the largest collective meeting ever in Portugal.” Read more

Pope Francis invited young people from Portugal to join him in the window of the Apostolic Palace for the World Youth Day announcement.

Pope Francis announces that World Youth Day registration is open

Oct 23, 2022

By Courtney Mares

World Youth Day is targeted at people between the ages of 16 to 35, according to its organizers. Read more

Pope Francis delivers the Angelus address on Oct. 23, 2022.

Pope Francis warns of the danger of ‘spiritual arrogance’

Oct 23, 2022

By Courtney Mares

The pope warned that “spiritual arrogance” can lead to adoration of one’s ego instead of God. Read more

Pope Francis in April 2022

Pope Francis jokes that either he or John XXIV will attend World Youth Day next year

Sep 5, 2022

By Courtney Mares

With the next World Youth Day less than a year away, Pope Francis has promised that a pope will be... Read more

St. John Paul II in 1978.

St. John Paul II and Blessed Carlo Acutis named among patrons of World Youth Day 2023

May 18, 2022

By CNA Staff

The Virgin Mary will be the “patroness par excellence” of the youth gathering. Read more