WYD LIVE

What is World Youth Day?

World Youth Day began in 1985 as an invitation of St. Pope John Paul II for young adults to gather in Rome. So many came to Rome, Italy in 1986, and this would become the first annual World Youth Day. World Youth Day is celebrated yearly at the local diocesan level on Palm Sunday. However, it is the international event that happens every two to three years that draws young adults from around the world together to meet with the Pope in order to profess their faith in Jesus Christ. Subsequent international WYDs have been held in Buenos Aires, Argentina (1987); Santiago de Compostela, Spain (1989); Czestochowa, Poland (1991); Denver, USA (1993); Manila, Philippines (1995); Paris, France (1997); Rome, Italy (2000); Toronto, Canada (2002); Cologne, Germany (2005); Sydney, Australia (2008); Madrid, Spain (2011) Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (2013), and most recently in Krakow, Poland (2016)

32nd World Youth Day, 2017 Theme

“The Mighty One has done great things for me,
and holy is His Name” (Lk 1:49)

click here for the text of the full message

All WYD LOGOS

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WORLD YOUTH DAY HISTORY

: 1986 - First World Youth Day established
Every Year on Palm Sunday is World Youth Day
There is an international gathering every 2-3 years
1986 - Rome, Italy; 1987 Buenos Aires, Argentina;
1989 - Santiago de Compostela, Spain;
1991 - Czestochowa, Poland; 1993 - Denver USA;
1995 - Manila Philippines; 1997 - Paris, France;
2000 - Rome, Italy; 2002 - Toronto, Canada;
2005 - Cologne, Germany; 2008 - Sydney, Australia;
2011 - Madrid, Spain; 2013 - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil;
2016 - Krakow, Poland; 2019 - Panama