World Youth Day 2023

Pope Francis blasted what he described as groups of "very strong, reactionary" American Catholics, warning against becoming "backwardists" who oppose change in the Catholic Church. 

Horizons - Yes, young people leave the church, and "nones" seem to be increasing, but I've seen a counternarrative firsthand. During World Youth Day, some 1.5 million young people around me witnessed a faith that isn't dead.

In a world suffering from "diseases of the soul," like pride, hatred and violence, the young people who traveled to Portugal for World Youth Day showed that another way of living and interacting is possible, Pope Francis said.

Pope Francis' style may be more evangelistic than apologetic, but you can hardly argue that he's not Christocentric, despite what some critics of World Youth Day claim, says columnist Michael Sean Winters. 

During a press conference on the papal plane from Lisbon, Portugal, Pope Francis reiterated his message that the church is open to everyone including LGBTQ people and all marginalized groups. 

The 2027 World Youth Day in South Korea will be only the second time that Asia has hosted the event. A Seoul archdiocesan spokesman told NCR he hopes young people from North Korea will be able to participate, either in Seoul or in a neutral venue.

More than 1.5 million young people attended Pope Francis' final Mass in Lisbon for World Youth Day, making it the largest event in Portugal's history. 

Pope Francis on Aug. 4 led 800,000 young people together at World Youth Day in Lisbon in prayer for those suffering the effects of mass shootings, wars, abuse, anxiety, eating disorders and persecution. 

Pope Francis was visibly moved during a meeting of interfaith leaders at World Youth Day on Aug. 4, when a Russian Orthodox bishop thanked the pontiff for his efforts on behalf of Ukrainians, says a priest attendee.

The same day Pope Francis told Catholics gathered for World Youth Day that the church must be a home for everyone, right-wing activists interrupted a Mass for LGBTQ pilgrims. 

Some teenagers and young adults jumped at the chance to attend World Youth Day in Portugal for the excitement and experience of being abroad. Others described an interior restlessness that drew them to Lisbon. Here are some vignettes from the world's Catholic youth festival.

Pope Francis challenged young people on Thursday to make the world a more just and inclusive place, as he focused the second day of his Portugal trip on inspiring students to use their privilege to combat global warming and economic inequalities.

In Portugal for World Youth Day, Pope Francis keeps repeating a message of inclusion: "The Lord does not point a finger, but opens wide his arms." But there is fierce resistance from some in the church.

Pope Francis on Aug. 2 capped off his first day in Portugal by meeting with 13 clergy abuse survivors. The meeting comes as the country is reeling from a report that Catholic clergy abused more than 4,800 children since 1950.

Like millions of other Catholic pilgrims do every year, Pope Francis will make a stop at Fátima during his trip to Portugal this week. But don't expect him to mention any conspiracy theories or controversial prophecies.

Xavière Missionary Sr. Nathalie Becquart, an undersecretary of the Vatican's Synod of Bishops office, said at World Youth Day that she has learned how to be synodal "from and with young people."

Pope Francis kicked off a 5-day visit in the Portuguese capital Aug. 2 to preside over a major Catholic youth festival with a blunt message for European leaders: invest in young people rather than weapons.

At 86, Francis will now be the oldest pope to preside over a World Youth Day celebration. If past World Youth Days are any indication, it could reinvigorate him, says Vatican correspondent Christopher White.

Francis, the comic strip: Does Francis have some kind of secret youth tonic?

Young people today must be open to love and let themselves be led and accompanied by God in the face of life's challenges, Pope Francis said.

While the primary aim of World Youth Day is to energize a new generation of young Catholics for the future, Pope Francis will likely be unable to do so without a serious reckoning with the church's past. 

With a green light from his doctor, Pope Francis has assured young people that he will be with them in Portugal for World Youth Day despite his recent surgery.

World Youth Day is an antidote against indifference, isolation and lethargy, Pope Francis said.