World Youth Day

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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

Portuguese pilgrims at WYD 2019, excited that their home country is set to host the next World Youth Day.

Pope Francis wants 2023 World Youth Day in Lisbon to be an ‘event with life’

Mar 8, 2022

By Hannah Brockhaus

‘If you are not poets, this meeting will not work,’ the pope told organizers. Read more

Pope Francis speaks after delivering his Angelus address at the Vatican, Nov. 21, 2021.

Pope Francis: Christ is not like other kings, he is a King for others

Nov 21, 2021

By CNA Staff

Two young people joined the pope as he delivered his Angelus address. Read more

Pope Francis celebrates Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica on the feast of Christ the King, Nov. 21, 2021.

World Youth Day 2021: Pope Francis asks young Catholics to be ‘critical conscience of society’

Nov 21, 2021

By CNA Staff

The pope offered Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica on the feast of Christ the King. Read more

Young people wearing T-shirts with the official WYD Lisbon 2023 logo.

Dates for World Youth Day 2023 in Lisbon announced

Oct 5, 2021

By Courtney Mares

The world’s largest gathering of Catholic young people will take place in 2023. Read more

Pope Francis addresses young people at Lokomotiva Stadium in Košice, Slovakia, Sept. 14, 2021.

World Youth Day 2021: Pope Francis asks young people to ‘testify joyfully that Christ is alive’

Sep 27, 2021

By CNA Staff

This year’s World Youth Day will be celebrated in local dioceses on Nov. 21. Read more

Parliament building in Budapest, Hungary.

Could the International Eucharistic Congress spark a Catholic revival like Denver's World Youth Day?

Sep 4, 2021

By Domonkos Pulay

“When people are immersed in that for a weekend or for an evening or for a Eucharistic Congress, like you... Read more

World Youth Day in Krakow, July 2016.

Vatican asks dioceses to promote local World Youth Day celebrations

May 18, 2021

By Courtney Mares

World Youth Day is celebrated annually at the diocesan level, as well as every few years at big international gatherings. Read more

Young people wearing T-shirts with the official WYD Lisbon 2023 logo.

Catholic bishop: World Youth Day 2023 an ‘opportunity to renew hope’ after pandemic

Feb 9, 2021

By Luke Coppen

The Catholic bishop overseeing preparations for World Youth Day 2023 in Lisbon, Portugal, has said that the event will be... Read more

Singers record the theme song for World Youth Day 2023 in Lisbon, Portugal. Credit: Lisboa2023.org.

Theme song unveiled for next World Youth Day in Lisbon

Jan 27, 2021

The organizers of World Youth Day 2023 in Lisbon on Wednesday unveiled the event’s official theme song.  Read more

Young people wearing T-shirts with the official WYD Lisbon 2023 logo.

World Youth Day 2023 organizers urge youth to join ‘great national movement’

Nov 13, 2020

The organizers of World Youth Day 2023 invited young Portuguese Catholics this week to prepare for the event by taking... Read more

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

World Youth Day Lisbon 2023 unveils Marian logo

Oct 16, 2020

By Courtney Mares

World Youth Day Lisbon launched its website and unveiled its logo Friday as Portugal prepares to host the world’s largest... Read more

A screenshot of the official website of World Youth Day in Lisbon, jmj.patriarcado-lisboa.pt.

Preparations resume for World Youth Day in Portugal

Sep 9, 2020

Preparations for the next World Youth Day have resumed after they were disrupted by the coronavirus pandemic.   Read more

Young pilgrims gather before World Youth Day Panama opening Mass Jan. 22, 2019.

Pope Francis postpones World Youth Day and Meeting of Families due to coronavirus

Apr 20, 2020

By Hannah Brockhaus

Pope Francis has decided to postpone by one year World Youth Day and the World Meeting of Families, according to... Read more

Al and Yousef Astfan, brothers from Syria in Krakow at World Youth Day 2016.

Bishops propose Arab World Youth Day for Middle East Catholics

Feb 28, 2020

By Courtney Mares

Bishops from the Middle East have proposed a regional youth gathering similar to World Youth Day for young Catholics from... Read more