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World Youth Day
See My Information on WYD 2008 in Sydney, Australia
After holding two international youth meetings in Rome in 1984 and 1985, Pope John Paul II announced the institution of World Youth Day (WYD), an annual invitation to youth from around the world to gather in prayer for peace and reconciliation. The first World Youth Day was celebrated at a diocesan level in 1986, with the first International celebration held the following year. Even though the international gatherings happen about every two or three years, WYD itself is celebrated each year (in the individual diocese).
Pope Benedict XVI has continued the World Youth Day tradition, bringing together hundreds of thousands of Catholic youth between the ages of 16 and 35 from over 150 countries. (See the Vatican Chronicle of World Youth Days.) Perhaps you will be at the next WYD in Sydney, Australia in 2008?
Fact: At the 1995 World Youth Day, 5 million youths gathered at Manila's Luneta Park in the Philippines, an event recognized as the largest crowd ever by the Guinness World Records.
Read the messages of our Holy Father from each World Youth Day below.
| Message | Year | Location | Theme of Pope's Message
| | 1st World Youth Day | 1986 | | Always be prepared to testify for the hope that is in you. (1 Peter 3:15)
| | 2nd World Youth Day | 1987 | Buenos Aires, Argentina | We know and believe the love that God has for us. (1 John 4:16)
| | 3rd World Youth Day | 1988 | | Do whatever he tells you. (John 2:5b)
| | 4th World Youth Day | 1989 | Santiago di Compostela, Spain | I am the way, and the truth, and the life. (John 14:6)
| | 5th World Youth Day | 1990 | | I am the vine, you are the branches. (John 15:5)
| | 6th World Youth Day | 1991 | Czestochowa, Poland | You have received the spirit of sonship. (Romans 8:15)
| | 7th World Youth Day | 1992 | | Go into all the world and preach the gospel. (Mark 16:15)
| | 8th World Youth Day | 1993 | Denver, USA | I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. (John 10:10)
| | 9th &10th World Youth Day | 1994-95 | Manila, Philippines | As the Father has sent me, even so I send you. (John 20:21)
| | 11th World Youth Day | 1996 | | Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. (John 6:68)
| | 12th World Youth Day | 1997 | Paris, France | Teacher, where are you staying? Come and see. (cf. John 1:38-39)
| | 13th World Youth Day | 1998 | | The Holy Spirit will teach you all things. (cf. John 14:26)
| | 14th World Youth Day | 1999 | | The Father loves you. (cf. John 16:27)
| | 15th World Youth Day | 2000 | Rome, Italy | The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. (John 1:14)
| | 16th World Youth Day | 2001 | | If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me (Luke 9:23)
| | 17th World Youth Day | 2002 | Toronto, Canada | You are the salt of the earth... You are the light of the world. (Matthew 5:13-14)
| | 18th World Youth Day | 2003 | | Behold, your mother! (John 19:27)
| | 19th World Youth Day | 2004 | | We wish to see Jesus. (John 12:21)
| | 20th World Youth Day | 2005 | Cologne, Germany | We have come to adore Him. (Matthew 2:2)
| | 21st World Youth Day | 2006 | | Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light for my path. (Psalm 119:105)
| | 22nd World Youth Day | 2007 | | Love one another, as I have loved you. (John 13:34)
| | 23rd World Youth Day | July 15-20, 2008 | Sydney, Australia | You will receive power when the holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses. (Acts 1:8)
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The messages 1987 to 1990 are my own translation from the Italian. Report any errors to me.
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