World Youth Day Panama Archives

Dream big, don’t settle for less, pope tells young people

Nov 23, 2020

Young people today should not waste their lives dreaming of obtaining trivial things that provide only a fleeting moment of joy but aspire to the greatness God wants for them, Pope Francis said.

By Junno Arocho Esteves

Amid travel break, pope cheers Lisbon youth jamboree plans

Nov 22, 2020

With no papal travels abroad this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Pope Francis is cheering efforts for a youth jamboree, traditionally attended by pontiffs, in Lisbon, Portugal, in 2023.

By Associated Press

U.S. pilgrims still feeling joy, renewal from attending World Youth Day

Feb 17, 2019

Pilgrims from the New York Archdiocese who attended the world-class retreat led by Pope Francis that was World Youth Day in Panama felt renewed in their faith journey and are still cherishing the moment as a joyful turning point they will always remember.

By Armando Machado

Global encounter of WYD challenges nationalism, walls, pope says

Jan 30, 2019

The joyous harmony of people coming together from so many different nations for World Youth Day stands in sharp contrast to today’s “sad” situation of confrontational nationalist feelings, Pope Francis said.

By Carol Glatz

Pope aims to ‘deflate’ expectations for abuse summit, says no to married priests

Jan 28, 2019

In an airborne press conference on Sunday, Pope Francis strove to “deflate” expectations for a summit on clerical sexual abuse next month and also rejected optional celibacy for Catholic priests.

By Inés San Martín

As World Youth Day closes, pope prompts volunteers to keep serving

Jan 28, 2019

Just before leaving the physical and human warmth of Panama Jan. 27, Pope Francis stopped to thank the thousands of official volunteers, young and old, gathered at the capital city’s Rommel Fernandez Stadium to tell them that they had just participated in an event similar to one that took place early in Christianity.

By Rhina Guidos

For next ‘Catholic Woodstock,’ there’s definitely something about Mary

Jan 28, 2019

On Sunday it was announced that the next global World Youth Day gathering would take place in Lisbon, Portugal, just a stone’s throw from the site of the 1917 Marian apparitions in Fatima. Often referred to as a “Catholic Woodstock,” WYD is by far the biggest event the Church organizes on a regular basis, and rarely has it been so rooted in Marian devotion.

By Elise Harris