World Youth Day

The Latest

Pope Francis during his July 24 visit to St. Francis of Assisi Hospital in Rio de Janeiro.

Pope embraces, voices love for drug addicts at Rio hospital

Jul 24, 2013

At a hospital in Rio de Janeiro, Pope Francis said his namesake St. Francis of Assisi put his conversion into... Read more

Auxiliary Bishop John Sherrington of Westminster gives the morning catechesis for WYD pilgrims July 24, 2013.

Love of Christ helps us find identity, bishop teaches

Jul 24, 2013

By Michelle La Rosa

By experiencing the love of God and sharing it with those around us, we will find the answers to our... Read more

Scene from The Logic of God performed during the 28th World Youth Day.

Blessed Frassati a 'perfect' fit for World Youth Day play

Jul 24, 2013

After being contacted by World Youth Day officials to perform a play going along with this year’s theme, a theater... Read more

Pope Francis celebrates Mass at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Aparecida during the 28th World Youth Day.

'God acts and he surprises us,' Pope teaches at Marian shrine

Jul 24, 2013

Openness to being surprised by God is an attitude which marks the life of a Christian, Pope Francis said in... Read more

Pope Francis' car is swarmed by pilgrims as he makes his way to Guanabara Palace on July 22, 2013. ANSA/FERMO IMMAGINE SKY.

Pope's unpredictability challenges security planners

Jul 24, 2013

By Andrea Gagliarducci

The rules for the Pope’s security during international trips have had to change since Pope Francis was elected, bringing into... Read more

Pope Francis arrives at the airport in Rio.

Pope rearranges Rio schedule to meet with Argentine youth

Jul 24, 2013

By Michelle La Rosa

Pope Francis has modified his World Youth Day schedule to plan a meeting this Thursday with several thousand young people... Read more

Auxiliary Bishop Cristian Contreras Villarroel of Santiago, Chile at the 28th World Youth Day in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on July 23, 2013.

Bishop says young people in Rio are pilgrims, not tourists

Jul 23, 2013

Auxiliary Bishop Cristian Contreras Villarroel of Santiago, Chile, says the hundreds of thousands of young people in Rio de Janeiro... Read more

Archbishop Orani Tempesta of Rio de Janeiro leads the opening Mass of the 28th World Youth Day.

'Infect everyone' with joy of Christ, says Rio archbishop

Jul 23, 2013

Archbishop Orani Tempesta of Rio de Janeiro greeted pilgrims at World Youth Day's opening Mass, urging them to spread the... Read more

Cardinal Timothy Dolan.

Cardinal Dolan: WYD catechesis will cover 'beautiful themes'

Jul 23, 2013

By Michelle La Rosa

Held at each World Youth Day as an opportunity to provide formation for participants, the three catechesis sessions in Rio... Read more

Paraguayan pilgrims Fabricio, Jose and Diego at World Youth Day, July 23, 2013.

'I hope the Pope sets our hearts on fire,' says Paraguayan WYD pilgrim

Jul 23, 2013

Fabricio, Jose and Diego, three World Youth Day pilgrims from Paraguay, say their deep desire that Pope Francis will set... Read more

 Pope Francis receives a soccer jersey from the Fluminense Football Club.

Brazilian soccer team gives Pope personalized jersey

Jul 23, 2013

After arriving last night by helicopter at Laranjeiras Stadium, the home of the Fluminense Soccer Club, Pope Francis received a... Read more

Gustavo Silva Clemente at WYD in Rio.

Young boy speechless after giving flowers to Pope

Jul 23, 2013

The boy who greeted the Holy Father upon his arrival in Brazil said he could not find the words to... Read more

Young people traveled from Mozambique to Brazil for World Youth Day 2013.

Exhausting trip to Rio was 'worth it,' Mozambique youths say

Jul 23, 2013

A group of young people who traveled 18 hours on a plane to make it to Brazil for World Youth... Read more

Fr. Federico Lombardi at the July 22, 2013 press conference at the WYD media center in Rio de Janeiro.

Pope very happy with enthusiastic Rio reception

Jul 23, 2013

Pope Francis arrived in Rio de Janeiro on Monday to a jubilant welcome that at times involved crowds swarming the... Read more

Matt Maher in concert, October 21, 2012.

Singer says WYD offers chance to experience 'global Church'

Jul 22, 2013

By Michelle La Rosa

Award-winning Catholic musician Matt Maher sees this year’s World Youth Day gathering as an opportunity to recognize the universal nature... Read more

CNA

Bomb found at Aparecida shrine ahead of Pope's visit

Jul 22, 2013

The Brazilian military discovered an improvised bomb in a parking garage bathroom at the shrine of Our Lady of Aparecida... Read more

CNA

Young people with disabilities to perform musical in Rio

Jul 22, 2013

At World Youth Day in Rio de Janeiro this week, a group of Peruvian youth with disabilities are set to... Read more

Pope Francis gives his first address at the Presidential Palace in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Pope comes to spark 'flame of fraternal love' in Rio

Jul 22, 2013

Affirming the “great heart” of the Brazilian people, Pope Francis said at a welcome ceremony that he comes to World... Read more

World Youth Day media center in Rio.

Thousands of journalists swarm Copacabana beach for World Youth Day

Jul 22, 2013

Around 6,000 journalists from around the globe are flocking to Rio de Janeiro's Copacabana beach this week to cover the... Read more

Pilgrims arrive at the Rio de Janeiro airport for World Youth Day 2013.

World Youth Day participants hope to build peaceful future

Jul 22, 2013

By Michelle La Rosa

Journalists from across the world heard stories of faith and determination from young people attending World Youth Day 2013 in... Read more