World Youth Day (WYD) is a worldwide encounter with the Pope which is typically celebrated every three years in a different country. Krakow, Poland was chosen as the site for the next pilgrimage which will take place from July 26 to July 31.

In keeping with this Holy Year of Mercy, the theme for the celebration is “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy” (Mt 5:7). What better place to celebrate this historic year than in Krakow, Poland, home to St. Faustina Kowalska, the Apostle of Divine Mercy, who was chosen by God to reveal the depths of His mercy. Krakow is widely known as the center of God’s mercy and many young pilgrims are expected to visit the site of her tomb.

It is also the site of the Divine Mercy Shrine where St. John Paul II entrusted the world to God’s Mercy in 2002.

For this reason, both St. John Paul and St. Faustina have been chosen as the patron saints of WYD 2016.

Pope Francis will be arriving at John Paul II International Airport Krakow–Balice on July 27 and will stay through July 31. His complete schedule can be found here.

The Church in Poland is rolling out the red carpet for visiting pilgrims. They are planning walking pilgrimages during the day as well as afternoon and evening shows, music, and opportunities for reconciliation. A typical day’s schedule can be found here.

In addition, Days in the Dioceses will take place all over the country where pilgrims will be able to immerse themselves in the local traditions and culture as well as pray together with youth from all over the world. Registration for Days in the Dioceses begins tomorrow.

“We very much look forward to receiving the American young people when they come to World Youth Day in Krakow in 2016,” said Cardinal Stanislaus Dziwisz, the Metropolitan Archbishop of Krakow wrote to Bishop Frank J. Caggiano, World Youth Day Liaison.

“We are also very pleased to hear that so many bishops will be joining their young people on pilgrimage to Krakow. Please encourage them all to come to WYD next year! … Please pass on my greetings … to all the bishops of the United States as we anticipate with great joy this incredible pilgrimage of faith under the banner of Divine Mercy and through the intercession of St. John Paul II and St. Faustina Kowalska.”

Let us keep this blessed event in our prayers!

Click here to visit the official WYD site.

EWTN is providing comprehensive coverage of WYD. Click here for live coverage of this historic event!

World Youth Day 2016 Official Prayer

God, merciful Father, in your Son, Jesus Christ, you have revealed your love and poured it out upon us in the Holy Spirit, the Comforter,

We entrust to you today the destiny of the world and of every man and woman.

We entrust to you, in a special way young people of every language, people and nation: guide and protect them as they walk the complex paths of the world today and give them the grace to reap abundant fruits from their experience of the Krakow World Youth Day.

Heavenly Father, grant that we may bear witness to your mercy. Teach us how to convey the faith to those in doubt, hope to those who are discouraged, love to those who feel indifferent, forgiveness to those who have done wrong and joy to those who are unhappy.

Allow the spark of merciful love that you have enkindled within us become a fire that can transform hearts and renew the face of the earth. Mary, Mother of Mercy, pray for us. St. John Paul II, pray for us. Amen.

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