The next World Youth Day to be held in Krakow!
World Youth Day in 2016 will be held in Krakow – Pope Francis announced on Sunday, 28th July at the end of the 28th World Youth Day in Rio de Janeiro. Young people in Krakow learned the news during the Rio in Krakow prayer meeting organized in Lagiewniki. It was also announced by the Royal Sigismund Bell tolling from the Wawel.
"This is an immeasurable privilege – for Poland, for the Polish Church and certainly for Krakow itself" – Mayor of Krakow Jacek Majchrowski commented on the papal decision. "There are many places around the world which would like to enjoy this privilege. We owe it most of all to the blessed John Paul II and his special bond with Krakow" – he adds.
World Youth Day is a meeting of young Christians from around the world; it is also a meeting of different nations, cultures and traditions. Multicultural, hospitable and open Krakow seems to be the perfect location for it.
"This is going to be an event of great promotional value; Krakow will be visited by millions of young people who, once enchanted by the city, will later become its ambassadors around the world" – says mayor Jacek Majchrowski. "I am certain that Krakow will not have any problems organizing this event. Our services and institutions have demonstrated high level of preparation before: during the papal pilgrimages of John Paul II and Benedict XVI. With the help from the church, as well as the Marshal's and Voivod's Offices, we will successfully cope with this organizational challenge" – emphacized the mayor.
The idea of World Youth Day was initiated by Pope John Paul II in 1984. This was when the Pope entrusted the Youth with a cross which later became known as the "WYD cross" and the symbol of the event.
The first WYD was celebrated on diocesan level, in Rome, in 1986. Later the international world meetings took place in Buenos Aires, Santiago de Compostela, Manila, Paris, Toronto, Sydney, Madrid and more. Poland hosted the WYD once in 1991 in Częstochowa, with 1.5 million participants.
World Youth Day demonstrates the presence of faith in the hearts of young people. They are the main participants in this meeting of faith, hope and unity. The objective of WYD is most of all to pass the message of Christ, but it is also to show the young side of Christianity.
The World Youth Day is celebrated each year in dioceses around the world and, every two or three years, an international meeting of youth with the pope is held for approx. one week.
