International Catholic World Youth Day, program of religious education and spiritual formation for youth in the Roman Catholic Church. Pope John Paul II was inspired to establish World Youth Day in 1986 by the church’s Youth Jubilee (1984), a special meeting between the pope and young Catholics held at the conclusion of the 1983–84 Year of Jubilee, and by the United Nations International Youth Year (1985).The first World Youth Day, held on Palm Sunday in Rome, had the goal of assuring young Catholics of their capacity to perpetuate the church’s traditions, spirituality, and work within the world.

WYD is open to all young people who want to take part in a festive encounter centered on Jesus Christ together with their peers. This event is an opportunity to personally experience the universality of the Catholic Church, and to share with the whole world the hope of many young people who are committing their lives to Christ and His Church. World Youth Day is a unique way to deepen your faith and grow closer to Christ, through prayer and the sacraments, together with hundreds of thousands of other young people who share your interests and ambitions.

The World Youth Day cross has many names: Jubilee Cross, Pilgrim Cross, and Youth Cross. It was entrusted to the youth as they were given the commission to “carry it throughout the world as a symbol of Christ’s love for humanity, and announce to everyone that only in the death and resurrection of Christ can we find salvation and redemption.” The cross set out with the young people from St. Peter’s in 1984 and has since been carried around the world, making a pilgrimage from parish to parish, diocese to diocese, and country to country.

The 1st International World Youth day was held in 1984 at Vatican City Rome Italy.

The 2nd International World Youth day was held in 1985 at Rome Italy.

The 3rd International World Youth day was held in (1987) Buenos Aires, Argentina.

The 4th International World Youth day was held in (1989) Santiago de Compostela, Spain.

The 5th International World Youth day was held in (1991) Czestochowa, Poland.

The 6th International World Youth day was held in (1993) Denver, United States.

The 7th International World Youth day was held in (1995) Manila, Philippines.

The 8th International World Youth day was held in (1997) Paris, France.

The 9th International World Youth day was held in (2000) Rome, Italy.

The 10th International World Youth day was held in (2002) Toronto, Canada.

The 11th International World Youth day was held in (2005) Cologne, Germany.

The 12th International World Youth day was held in 2008) Sydney, Australia.

The 13th International World Youth day was held in (2011) Madrid, Spain.

The 14th International World Youth day was held in (2013) Rio de Janeiro.

The 15th International World Youth day was held in (2016) Krakow, Poland.

The 16th International World Youth day was held in (2019) Panama City, Panama.

The 17th International World Youth day was held in 2023 at Lisbon, Portugal .

The 17th International World Youth day was held in 2023 at Lisbon, Portugal.