World Youth Day 2013 officially kicks off in the Brazilian capital of Rio de Janeiro on July 23, beginning with Pope Francis’ arrival and ending with an outdoor Mass that some say could draw as many as three million people.

With a theme of “Go and make disciples of all nations”, the world’s youth will converge on the Brazilian capital for a week-long immersion in the faith. The event will host 273 catechetical events in a variety of languages, along with liturgies, the sacrament of reconciliation, and other gatherings. Pilgrims will be facilitated throughout the city of Rio as well as in neighboring dioceses such as Niterói, Nova Iguaçu and Duque de Caxias.

In addition, there will be music, exhibitions, dance, theatre, cinema, hikes, church tours and landmark visits organized by the Youth Festival for WYD Rio2013. According to the Main Evens department of the Rio2013 Local Organizing Committee, more than 600 free activities are already confirmed and will take place in various regions of Rio de Janeiro.

“The events are designed to capture the attention of the public, offering the opportunity to enjoy the diversity, quality and magnificence of artistic expression – a concert, a painting, a sculpture, a film – to propose an encounter with God,” says Gustavo Ribeiro, manager of the Main Events department.

Pope Francis will make his debut on July 22 and Vatican spokesman Fr. Federico Lombardi has already said that because this pontiff is “full of surprises” the trip is bound to be “a bit of an adventure.”

For starters, the Pope has decided to forgo the bulletproof popemobile and will use an open-topped car instead.

“It’s in continuity with what he does here,” Fr. Lombardi said. “He feels good to be in close communication with the environs around him, and this car lets him get on and off.”

The pope will follow a busy schedule, one that was laid out by his predecessor but has since been augmented by Francis. For instance, a day of rest has been scrapped and the pope now plans to visit the Shrine of Our Lady of Aparecida and visit a hospital serving the poor and those recovering from addiction. He will also visit the slums of Manguinhos where he will walk the streets and is expected to visit a family in their home.

Pope Francis granted a plenary and partial indulgence to all those who participate in World Youth Day 2013 in Rio, which is a tradition in World Youth Days since they were first celebrated during the pontificate of Blessed John Paul II.

Bishop Krzysztof Nykiel, Regent of the Penitentiary, announced on Vatican Radio that in order to receive the indulgence, pilgrims must “turn away from sin, even venial sin, and have sincere repentance.” They will also need “confession, communion, and prayer for the intentions of the Pope” as well as perform the act for which the Church provides the indulgence which is, in this case, participation in World Youth Day. Pilgrims must participate in at least one of the event’s liturgies, pray one Our Father and say a devout prayer to the Blessed Virgin.

Those who cannot attend World Youth Day may also obtain the indulgence if they go to confession, receive communion, pray for the intentions of the Pope, and participate in World Youth Day rites with devotion and piety through the media.   “Wherever they are, the faithful can also gain a partial indulgence, provided that with a contrite spirit they pray to God, concluding with the official World Youth Day prayer and invocations to Mary, Queen of Brazil, under the title of Our Lady of the Concepción Aparecida, as well as other patrons and intercessors of the meeting,” Bishop Nykiel said.

Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff invited the presidents of Latin American countries to join their pilgrims in Rio. Father Lombardi says he doesn’t yet know how many have accepted the invitation but those who do will most likely be attending the closing Mass on July 28.

Full coverage of World Youth Day is being provided by EWTN.

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PRAYER FOR WORLD YOUTH DAY:

Oh, Father, You sent Your Eternal Son to save the world and chose men and women, through Him, with Him and in Him, to proclaim the Good News to all nations. Grant us the graces necessary so that joy may shine in the faces of all young people, the joy of being, by the power of the Holy Spirit, the evangelists the Church needs in the Third Millennium.

Oh Christ, Redeemer of humanity, the image of Your open arms on the top of Corcovado welcomes all people. In Your paschal offering, You brought us by the Holy Spirit to an encounter of sonship with the Father. Young people, who are fed by Eucharist, hear You in Your Word and meet You as their brother, need your infinite mercy to run the paths of the world missionary-disciples of the New Evangelization.

Oh Holy Spirit, Love of the Father and the Son, with the splendor of Your Truth and the fire of Your Love, send Your Light to all young people so that, driven by their experience of World Youth Day, they may bring to the four corners of the world faith, hope and charity, becoming great builders of a culture of life and peace and catalysts of a new world. Amen!