World Youth Day

The Latest

Pope Francis is greeted by children in Santiago de Cuba, Sept. 22, 2015.

Francis' message to young Cubans: Dream of a better world

Jul 29, 2016

Pope Francis sent a video message to Cuban youth unable to attend World Youth Day on Friday, encouraging them to... Read more

Archbishop Bashar Warda of Erbil speaks at religious freedom panel during World Youth Day at the Mercy Centre in Krakow, July 27, 2016. Photo courtesy of Jaclyn Lippelmann/Archdiocese of Washington.

WYD panel discusses worldwide state of religious freedom

Jul 29, 2016

The day after a priest was brutally murdered in France, a panel at World Youth Day in Poland discussed the... Read more

Pope Francis embraces a patient at Krakow's Prokocim University Pediatric Hospital, July 29, 2016.

The Pope's powerful words at a children's hospital in Poland

Jul 29, 2016

By Ann Schneible

Pope Francis paid a visit to the patients of a children's hospital in Krakow on Friday, where he stressed the... Read more

Pope Francis prays at the Auschwitz concentration camp, July 29, 2016.

At Auschwitz, Pope prays for God's forgiveness

Jul 29, 2016

By Ann Schneible

Pope Francis paid a solemn visit to the Auschwitz and Birkenau concentration camps on Friday, where over a million people... Read more

Pope Francis takes a selfie with a newly married couple in St. Peter's Square, Dec. 2, 2015.

Three words every couple should know, according to Pope Francis

Jul 28, 2016

By Elise Harris

Married couples were the focus of Pope Francis’ second “balcony talk” in Poland on Thursday, receiving from him three words... Read more

Pope Francis at the World Youth Day welcoming ceremony in Krakow's Blonia Park, July 28, 2016.

Don't waste your life seeking 'empty thrills', Pope tells youth

Jul 28, 2016

By Ann Schneible

For young people who have given up on life, or who waste their existence seeking out “empty thrills,” Pope Francis... Read more

Pope Francis celebrates Mass at the Shrine of Czestochowa, July 28, 2016.

The humble speak for God, Pope says at Czestochowa

Jul 28, 2016

By Ann Schneible

Those who embrace their own littleness become the “spokespersons” of God, Pope Francis said during Mass at the shrine of... Read more

French bicyclists at St Mary's Cathedral in Krakow's Market Square.

French pilgrims pedal their way to World Youth Day

Jul 28, 2016

By Kate Veik

Pilgrims from across the globe travel to World Youth Day by plane, train and automobile. But not Victor Jacquemont, Antoine... Read more

Al and Yousef Astfan are brothers from Syria who reunited in Krakow at World Youth Day after three years.

Syrian brothers reunite at WYD, and ask the world to pray

Jul 27, 2016

By Kate Veik, Kevin J. Jones

Among the hundreds of thousands of pilgrims at World Youth Day are two brothers, recently reunited.  Read more

Pope Francis speaks to World Youth Day participants from the balcony of the bishop's palace in Krakow, July 27, 2016.

In first balcony talk, Pope tells youth to 'make chaos'

Jul 27, 2016

By Elise Harris

On his first night in Krakow Pope Francis was already stirring things up with participants in WYD by hosting an... Read more

Pope Francis with pilgrims gathered in St. Peter's Square for the general audience on Aug. 26, 2015.

What Pope Francis told young immigrants in Texas

Jul 27, 2016

As thousands of youth gather in Krakow this week for World Youth Day with Pope Francis, hundreds of undocumented immigrants... Read more

Wieliczka Salt Mine chapel, Poland.

The story of Poland's majestic 'underground salt cathedral'

Jul 27, 2016

By Elise Harris

Located just southeast of Krakow, the Wieliczka salt mine is famous for many things – most notably its underground chapels,... Read more

French bishops declare day of fasting after priest's murder

Jul 26, 2016

In response to the murder of Father Jacques Hamel by believed Islamic State sympathizers, the French bishops have designated Friday,... Read more

Pope Francis prays before the tombs of his predecessors in the grotto of St. Peter's Basilica, Nov. 2, 2015.

Pope Francis to pray at John Paul II's tomb with kids who have cancer

Jul 26, 2016

Before taking off for WYD in Krakow, Pope Francis will pray at the tomb of St. John Paul II alongside... Read more

Cardinal Stanislaw Dziwisz says the opening Mass for World Youth Day in Krakow's Blonia Park, July 26, 2016.

Let the fire of faith enkindle the world, cardinal tells WYD pilgrims

Jul 26, 2016

Cardinal Stanislaw Dziwisz’s welcome to World Youth Day pilgrims on Tuesday had a stirring reminder: it is up to them... Read more

Pope Francis at the Divine Mercy Vigil in St. Peter's Square, April 2, 2016.

Pope Francis goes to Krakow tomorrow – here's what to watch for

Jul 26, 2016

By Elise Harris

Many special moments are anticipated during Pope Francis' visit to Poland this week for World Youth Day, especially considering his... Read more

St. John Paul II, circa 1995.

Cardinal Dziwisz talks Krakow, Saint John Paul II

Jul 26, 2016

As World Youth Day approaches, the Archbishop of Krakow recently spoke with EWTN Deutschland about the “city of saints” hosting... Read more

Pilgrims arrive to Krakow, Poland on July 23, 2016.

For youth in Krakow, seeing Pope Francis will be 'out of this world'

Jul 25, 2016

By Elise Harris, Kate Veik

As thousands of youth are setting foot in Krakow for World Youth Day, many voiced their excitement not only to... Read more

Pope Francis at the general audience in St. Peter's Square on Dec. 16, 2015.

Pope prays for pilgrims en route to Krakow for WYD

Jul 24, 2016

By Ann Schneible

Pope Francis has asked for prayers as he, and all the pilgrims attending this year's World Youth Day, prepare to... Read more

Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square, Feb. 6, 2016.

Pope Francis to meet Holocaust survivors during Auschwitz visit

Jul 20, 2016

By Elise Harris

Though rumors have been floating for some time, the Vatican confirmed that the Pope will meet with 10 Holocaust survivors... Read more