WYD-History

1984

Rome

1984 Rome: St. Peter’s Square, Palm Sunday (15 April 1984) Large gathering of young people on the occasion of the Holy Year of the Redemption The Pope gives the Cross to young people (22 April 1984)

1985

Rome

1985 Rome: St. Peter’s Square, Palm Sunday (31 March 1985) Large gathering of young people on the occasion of International Youth Year The Pope dedicates an Apostolic Letter to the young people of the world (31 March 1985) and then announces the institution of World Youth Day (20 December 1985)

1987

Buenos Aires

Second World Youth Day Theme: “We have come to know and to believe in the love God has for us” (1John 4:16) Celebration (international): Buenos Aires, Argentina (11-12 April 1987)

1989

Santiago de Compostela

Fourth World Youth Day Theme: “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life” (John 14:6) Celebration (international): Santiago de Compostela, Spain (15-20 August 1989)

1991

Czestochowa

Sixth World Youth Day Theme: “You received a spirit of adoption” (Romans 8:15) Celebration (international): Czestochowa, Poland (10-15 August 1991)

1993

Denver, USA

Eighth World Youth Day Theme: “I came that they might have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10) Celebration (international): Denver, USA (10-15 August 1993)

1995

Manila

Tenth World Youth Day Celebration (international): Manila, Philippines (10-15 January 1995) Theme: “As the Father sent me, so am I sending you” (John 20: 21) Ninth World Youth Day Celebration (diocesan): Palm Sunday (27 March 1994)

1997

Paris

Twelfth World Youth Day Theme: “Teacher, where are you staying? Come and see” (cf. John 1:38-39) Celebration (international): Paris, France (19-24 August 1997)

2000

Rome

Fifteenth World Youth Day Theme: “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us” (John 1:14) Celebration (international): Rome, Italy (15-20 August 2000)

2002

Toronto

Seventeenth World Youth Day Theme: “You are the salt of the earth; you are the light of the world” (Matthew 5: 13,14) Celebration (international): Toronto, Canada (23-28 July 2002)

2005

Cologne

Twentieth World Youth Day Theme: “We have come to worship him” (Matthew 2:2) Celebration (international): Cologne, Germany (16-21 August 2005)

2008

Sydney

Twenty-third World Youth Day Theme: “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses ” (Acts 1:8) Celebration (international): Sydney (Australia) (15-20 July 2008)

2011

Madrid

Twenty-sixth World Youth Day Theme: “Planted and built up in Jesus Christ, firm in the faith” (cf. Colossians 2:7) Celebration (international): Madrid, Spain (16-21 August 2011)

2013

Rio de Janeiro

Twenty-eighth World Youth Day Theme: “Go and make disciples of all nations!” (cf. Matthew 28:19) Celebration (international): Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (23-28 July 2013)

2016

Krakow

Thirty-first World Youth Day Theme: “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy” (Matthew 5:7) Celebration (international): Krakow, Poland (26-31 July 2016)

2019

Panama City

Thirty-fourth World Youth Day Theme: “I am the servant of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38) Celebration (international): Panama City, Panama (22-27 January 2019)

2023

Lisbon

Thirthy-seventh World Youth Day Theme: ‘Mary arose and went with haste’ (Lk 1:39) Celebration (international) Lisbon, Portugal (1-6 August 2023)