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WYD2023

Pope Francis waves at the crowd of 1.5 million people who attended the closing Mass of World Youth Day 2023 in Lisbon, Portugal on Aug. 6, 2023. | Vatican Media.

What countries did Pope Francis visit in 2023 and what did he say?

Dec 30, 2023

Despite advanced age and health challenges, the pope visited six countries on three continents in 2023.

Our Lady of Fatima statue in Fatima, Portugal. | Photo courtesy of Shrine of Fatima

Miracle at Fátima? World Youth Day Pilgrim Receives Her Sight after Communion at Mass

Aug 7, 2023

“I opened my eyes and I could see perfectly,” said Jimena, a 16-year-old Spanish World Youth Day pilgrim who said she miraculously recovered her sight after receiving the Eucharist at Fátima, Portugal, during a Mass there.

Pope Francis addresses reporters on Aug. 6, 2023 aboard the papal flight on his return to Rome from his five-day trip to Portugal and World Youth Day. | Daniel Ibáñez/CNA

Pope Francis Explains Why He Skipped Fatima Prayer for Peace

Aug 7, 2023

On his return flight from World Youth Day on Sunday, Pope Francis explained why he opted to skip reading a prayer in Fatima that consecrated the Church and “countries at war” to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Pope Francis takes selfies with volunteers after closing Mass for WYD2023 in Lisbon, Aug 6, 2023. | Photo credit: Vatican Media

After Closing Mass, Pope Ends World Youth Day Trip by Meeting Volunteers to Say Thanks

Aug 7, 2023

Pope Francis wrapped up his World Youth Day visit with one word, rendered in Portuguese as “obrigado,” thank you — literally, “I am obliged.”

Pope Francis waves to World Youth Day pilgrims in Lisbon, Portugal, at the start of a vigil service on Aug. 5, 2023. | Vatican Media

At World Youth Day Vigil, Pope Francis Urges Catholics to be "roots of joy"

Aug 5, 2023

Pope Francis on Saturday urged attendees at World Youth Day to make themselves “roots of joy” in the lives of others, calling on the huge young crowd to draw on the “love of Jesus” to “walk in hope” as they journey through life. 

Pope Francis speaks to young people during the World Youth Day welcoming ceremony in Lisbon, Portugal, Aug. 3, 2023. Credit: Daniel Ibañez/CNA

“Honored”: Kenyan Nun after Faith Influencers Handed Olive Tree From Pope Francis

Aug 4, 2023

Sr. Leunida Katunge is all smiles as she poses with a young potted plant. It is an olive plant that she, alongside other officials, received from Pope Francis on behalf of the Catholic Faith Influencers who are meeting on the sidelines of the 2023 World Youth Day (WYD) celebrations in Lisbon, Portugal.

Young people participate in Stations of the Cross at World Youth Day in Eduardo VII Park in Lisbon, Portugal, Aug. 4, 2023. | Credit: Vatican Media

Pope Francis at WYD Stations of the Cross: "Jesus wipes away our hidden tears"

Aug 4, 2023

Pope Francis told the estimated 800,000 young people praying the Stations of the Cross together at World Youth Day in Portugal on Friday evening that Jesus can open the windows of the soul and wipe away all “hidden tears.”

Pope Francis hears the confession of a young pilgrim at World Youth Day in Lisbon, Portugal, Aug. 4, 2023. | Credit: Vatican Media

Pope Francis Hears Young People’s Confessions in Lisbon

Aug 4, 2023

As part of the Word Youth Day celebrations this week in Lisbon, Portugal, Pope Francis this morning heard the confessions of three young people in the Jardim Vasco da Gama, renamed Reconciliation Park or “Forgiveness Park” for World Youth Day.

Pope Francis makes his way past crowds of thousands on his way to the World Youth Day welcoming ceremony in Lisbon, Portugal, Aug. 3, 2023. | Credit: Pablo Pilco/EWTN News

Pope Francis’ First World Youth Day Speech: "God’s heart beats uniquely for you"

Aug 3, 2023

At Pope Francis’ first official World Youth Day event in Portugal, he told the 500,000 young people in the crowd that their presence was no accident and that God has called each one by name.

Pope Francis and José María Del Corral, president of the Scholas Occurrentes youth movement, smile during a meeting with the group's volunteers in Cascais, Portugal, on Aug. 3, 2023. | Daniel Ibáñez/CNA

"Attend to the planet and poor," Pope Francis Urges College Students

Aug 3, 2023

In his first encounters with young people ahead of his arrival at World Youth Day later in the day, Pope Francis on Thursday urged his audiences to use their knowledge and skills to care for the planet and the poor.  

Nigerian pilgrims presenting a gift to the Bishop of Fatima-Leirai. Credit: Fr. Hillary Basil/ African Synodal Digital Faith Influencers

Pomp, Colour Marks African Pilgrims Entry, Participation in WYD Celebrations

Aug 2, 2023

Most of them landed in Portugal dressed in colorful attire, a characteristic festive look of Africa.

James Nyumah, 23, from Liberia, (pictured third from left) hangs out with new friends from Australia while attending a "Rise Up" session at World Youth Day 2023 in Lisbon, Portugal, on Aug. 2, 2023. | Hannah Brockhaus/CNA

Pilgrims From Liberia Overcome Travel Troubles to Attend WYD: "Being here is a miracle"

Aug 2, 2023

They made it “by the grace of God,” 36-year-old Father Ernest Wisner said about the presence of his small group from Liberia at World Youth Day 2023 in Lisbon, Portugal.

Pope Francis meets with Portugal President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa at the Belém Cultural Center in Lisbon upon his arrival for World Youth Day on Aug. 2, 2023. | Credit: Daniel Ibañez/CNA

World Youth Day 2023: Pope Francis Arrives in Lisbon, "a city of encounter"

Aug 2, 2023

Arriving in Lisbon for World Youth Day, Pope Francis on Wednesday called on Portugal’s leaders to promote peace, families, and environmental stewardship, policies he said would help light “lamps of hope” across Europe.

An Angolan pilgrim at WYD in Portugal. Credit: Angola Viture Parish

False Alarm: Dioceses in Angola, Cape Verde Dismiss Reports of Missing WYD Pilgrims

Aug 1, 2023

Catholic Dioceses in Angola and Cape Verde have discredited media reports indicating that 106 pilgrims participating in the 2023 World Youth Day in Lisbon, Portugal are missing from the respective delegations, terming the reports “exaggerated.”

Hundreds of thousands of people attended the opening Mass for World Youth Day in Lisbon, Portugal, on Aug. 1, 2023. | Credit: Julia Silva / JMJ Lisboa 2023

World Youth Day 2023: Lisbon Patriarch Greets Attendees at Opening Mass

Aug 1, 2023

World Youth Day 2023 kicked off in Lisbon, Portugal, Aug. 1 with an opening Mass before a crowd of hundreds of thousands.

Pope Francis addresses the crowd in St. Peter’s Square in his Sunday Angelus on July 16, 2023. | Credit: Vatican Media

This is Pope Francis’ Prayer Intention for August 2023

Aug 1, 2023

Pope Francis’ prayer intention for the month of August is for World Youth Day (WYD).

Participants at World Youth Day 2023 in in Lisbon, Portugal. | Credit: José Ferreira/JMJ Lisboa 2023

World Youth Day: 96% of Pilgrims Think Gatherings Contribute to Evangelization

Jul 31, 2023

According to an international survey, 96% of young people over the age of 18 who are attending World Youth Day (WYD) in Lisbon, Portugal, think these gatherings contribute a lot or quite a bit “to spreading faith in Jesus Christ.”

Outdoor Mass with the WYD Lisbon 2023 volunteers as they prepare for World Youth Day to begin Aug 2. | Photo courtesy of Patricia Neves

8 Unique Things to Know about World Youth Day 2023 in Lisbon

Jul 30, 2023

After four years of waiting — one year longer than expected due to the pandemic — and fears that the pope’s health issues would force another postponement, World Youth Day (WYD) 2023 in Lisbon, Portugal, will finally take place in a few days, from Aug. 1–6, and it promises to be unique in many ways.

The official logo of World Youth Day Lisbon. Photo courtesy Beatriz Roque Antunez.

Here Are Answers to Your Questions about World Youth Day 2023

Jul 28, 2023

As World Youth Day (WYD) approaches and pilgrims from all over the world pack their bags and prepare to embark on their journey, we compiled a list of answers to all your questions about WYD.

A screenshot from Pope Francis' May 4 video message to young people attending World Youth Day 2023 in Lisbon, Portugal. | Vatican Media

Pope Francis Speaks to Young People Ahead of World Youth Day in "Popecast"

Jul 25, 2023

Ahead of next week’s World Youth Day in Lisbon, Portugal, Pope Francis responded to the prerecorded questions and struggles of young people in Vatican News’ newly produced podcast, dubbed the “Popecast.”