World Youth Day

The Latest

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

Pope Francis announces Marian theme of World Youth Day 2022 in Lisbon

Jun 22, 2019

By Courtney Mares

At the conclusion of the International Youth Forum Saturday, Pope Francis announced the theme of World Youth Day 2022 to... Read more

Pope Francis says Mass at Campo San Juan Pablo II for World Youth Day Panama Jan. 27, 2019.

Pope Francis: Young people are the 'now' of God

Jan 27, 2019

By Hannah Brockhaus

Serving God and his mission is not a passing thing, but can and should be pursued in the present, with... Read more

Opening Mass for World Youth Day 2019 in Panama.

World Youth Day kicks off with message: 'Have the courage to be saints'

Jan 23, 2019

At the opening Mass of World Youth Day 2019, Archbishop José Domingo Ulloa Mendieta of Panama told young people from... Read more

World Youth Day flag in Panama.

5 things to know about World Youth Day 2019

Jan 21, 2019

By Jonah McKeown

Five things you need to know about World Youth Day 2019  Read more

World Youth Day pilgrims in 2013.

Small, well-funded LGBT group to challenge Catholic teaching at World Youth Day

Jan 16, 2019

By Kevin J. Jones

A U.S.-based coalition of dissenting Catholics, whose backers include wealthy non-Catholic funders, is sending a small group of LGBT activists... Read more

Inmates construct confessionals for the 2019 World Youth Day.

Inmates building 250 confessionals for 2019 World Youth Day

Dec 22, 2018

Inmates from La Joya and Nueva Joya prisons have begun the construction of 250 confessionals to be used in the... Read more

World Youth Day contest welcomes Catholic filmmakers

Jul 23, 2018

A Catholic film ministry has opened a contest for the 2019 World Youth Day to encourage young cinematographers to create... Read more

Pope Francis greets Panamanian pilgrims at the General Audience in St. Peter's Square, Nov. 8, 2017.

Pope Francis to youth: face your fears with discernment, courage

Feb 22, 2018

Addressing youth around the globe, Pope Francis encouraged young people Thursday to face their fears with discernment and courage, looking... Read more

Pope Francis at the Angelus Jan. 28, 2018.

Pope Francis 'signs up' for World Youth Day in Panama

Feb 11, 2018

By Hannah Brockhaus

After the Angelus Sunday, with the help of a tablet and two young people, Pope Francis signed up for World... Read more

Pope St. John Paul II visits Colombia in 1986.

John Paul II relic given to 2019 World Youth Day

Nov 20, 2017

At a Nov. 17 ceremony at the Polish Embassy to the Holy See, Ambassador Janusz Kotanski delivered a relic of... Read more

World Youth Day in Brazil, July 28, 2013.

WYD Unite event brings together youth from across the nation

Jul 26, 2017

By Adelaide Mena

On one of the hottest days of the year, more than 1,300 young people from around the country gathered together... Read more

Official song of World Youth Day Panama released

Jul 4, 2017

On Monday the Archdiocese of Panama released the official theme song of the next World Youth Day, to be held... Read more

Panamanian pilgrims attend Pope Francis General Audience in St. Peter's Square, April 5, 2017.

Laity, gender ideology shared concerns for Pope and Panama's bishops

Jun 10, 2017

By Elise Harris

World Youth Day wasn't the only topic on the agenda for Panama's bishops during their meeting with Pope Francis this... Read more

Panamanian youths attend a prayer vigil at the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome, April 8, 2017.

Youth raise voices ahead of 2018 synod: we want to follow Christ

Apr 11, 2017

By Elise Harris

At a prayer vigil with youth this weekend, Pope Francis said the Church needs to listen to the voice of... Read more

Pope Francis speaks to young people at the Basilica of Saint Mary Major in Rome.

Pope to youth: The Church needs to hear your voice

Apr 8, 2017

By Elise Harris

On Saturday Pope Francis held a special prayer vigil in anticipation of WYD and the 2018 Synod of Bishops, telling... Read more

Pope Francis greets youth pilgrims at Santo Tomas University in Manila on Jan. 18, 2015.

The Church and society need you, Pope Francis tells youth

Mar 21, 2017

On Tuesday Pope Francis released a video message to youth in advance of the next World Youth Day, to be... Read more

World Youth Day pilgrims from Panama July 30, 2016.

World Youth Day Panama will take place January 22-27

Jan 20, 2017

By Elise Harris

On Friday Archbishop José Domingo Ulloa Mendieta of Panama officially announced the dates of the next World Youth Day, which... Read more

Pope Francis with a statue of Mary and baby Jesus in St. Peter's Square during the general audience on Sept 9, 2015.

After Krakow, Mary at heart of next World Youth Day gathering

Nov 22, 2016

By Elise Harris

On Tuesday the Vatican announced the themes for the next three World Youth Day encounters, which are focused on Mary... Read more

Pilgrims at World Youth Day in Germany, 2005.

Meningitis death of World Youth Day pilgrim prompts health alert

Aug 2, 2016

By Ann Schneible

The Italian bishops' conference has issued an advisory to pilgrims, after a young Italian girl died of meningitis while she... Read more

Ana.

This young postulant says 'don't be afraid' of God's calling

Jul 30, 2016

By Elise Harris

Many things happen during World Youth Day. Young people from all over the world travel to meet the Pope, they... Read more