World Youth Day

The Latest

Pope Francis speaks to youth outside of Krakow's St. John Paul II Shrine, July 30, 2016.

God prefers us weak, Pope Francis says off-the-cuff to youth

Jul 30, 2016

The weaker we are, the more God's mercy can transform our lives. Pope Francis made these impromptu remarks on Saturday... Read more

Pope Francis celebrates Mass at the St. John Paul II shrine in Krakow, Poland, July 30, 2016.

Pope to priests and religious: Don't be content with mediocrity

Jul 30, 2016

By Ann Schneible

During Mass celebrated at the shrine of St. John Paul II in Krakow, Pope Francis challenged the priests, religious, and... Read more

Cardinal Timothy Dolan. Archdiocese of Boston via Flickr (CC BY ND 2.0).

Are young Catholics cynical about politics? Nope, Cardinal Dolan says

Jul 30, 2016

By Elise Harris

With political discourse taking a turn for the nasty(er) as the U.S. presidential elections draw near, are youth disillusioned by... Read more

Pope Francis pays a solemn visit to the Auschwitz and Birkenau concentration camps on July 29, 2016.

The cruelty of Auschwitz still continues, Pope tells youth

Jul 29, 2016

By Elise Harris

Speaking from the balcony of the bishop's palace in Krakow, Pope Francis told youth gathered below that the horror lived... Read more

Maximilian Kolbe, Edith Stein. Public Domain via Wikipedia.

Heroism and sacrifice: The Catholic history of Auschwitz

Jul 29, 2016

By Ann Schneible

Pope Francis sat quietly in one of Auschwitz's most ominous prison cells, praying in what had been the inhumane living... Read more

Pope Francis leads the Stations of the Cross for World Youth Day at Krakow's Blonia Park, July 29, 2016.

Are you suffering? Jesus is with you, Pope Francis says

Jul 29, 2016

The Way of the Cross shows Christ's embrace of everyone who hungers, suffers, and dies – and the imperative for... Read more

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