It all began with John Paul II’s love for young people. On Palm Sunday of 1984, the Pope convoked the youth of Rome to celebrate with him the Holy Year of Redemption: their answer was enthusiastic and surpassed all expectations. In 1985 the he wrote a letter to the young people of the world and later kicks off the adventure of World Youth Day.

“All young people,” said Pope John Paul in the annual encounter with the Roman Curia, “should feel followed by the Church, that is why all the Church, in union with the Successor of Peter, feels more and more committed, on a world scale, on behalf of young people, their worries, their questions, their openness and their hopes, to respond to their expectations, by communicating the certainty who is Christ, the Truth who is Christ, love who is Christ…” (December 20, 1985)

Since then World Youth Day has been held annually in the local Churches on Palm Sunday and every two or three years on an international level travelling from continent to continent: a pilgrimage around the world.

"Rooted and built up in Jesus Christ, firm in the faith.” (Col. 2:7)