World Youth Day

Pope announces World Youth Day to return to Asia in 2027, urges young people ‘not to be afraid’

By Helena Alves, Barry Hatton, and Nicole Winfield — August 7, 2023

LISBON, Portugal (AP) — News that Seoul, South Korea would host World Youth Day in 2027 was a reflection of the continent's increasing importance to the Catholic Church, given the church is young and growing there, whereas it is withering in traditionally Christian lands in Europe.

Pope gets an electrifying World Youth Day welcome and urges fighting for economic justice, climate

By Helena Alves, Barry Hatton, and Nicole Winfield — August 4, 2023

LISBON, Portugal (AP) — The pope, who was hospitalized twice this year, had said he hoped to be “rejuvenated” by his five-day trip to Portugal, and it appeared as if the sun-baked crowd delivered.

In Portugal, Pope Francis will sow seeds of his legacy

By Claire Giangravé — July 31, 2023

(RNS) — The pontiff will meet with nearly a million young Catholics for World Youth Day celebrations and share his vision for the future of the church.

Gamer and programmer Carlo Acutis could be the right saint for Gen Z, new book argues

By Claire Giangravé — June 28, 2023

(RNS) — A kid who loved computers and died at 15 of leukemia can be an inspiration on how to live in the digital age, new book says.

What should the US Catholic bishops talk about at their meeting in Florida?

By Thomas Reese — June 6, 2023

(RNS) — Topics foremost in the public’s mind are not on the agenda: the war in Ukraine, the treatment of transgender people, global warming, the culture wars over public education, economic inequality, political divisions and the rise of hate groups.

Pope challenged on sex abuse as young take stage in Panama

By Nicole Winfield — January 27, 2019

PANAMA CITY (AP) — Young people challenged Pope Francis on the Catholic Church's sex abuse scandal and the plight of Christians in the Middle East as the youth took center stage Saturday in the final events of World Youth Day in Panama.

Pope seeks to inspire Panama’s priests, sisters at Youth Day

By Nicole Winfield — January 26, 2019

PANAMA CITY (AP) — Pope Francis has sought to inspire Panama's young people, its prisoners, its politicians and its bishops. On Saturday he turns his attention to the country's priests and religious sisters.

Pope blasts ‘invisible walls’ in bringing youth fest to jail

By Nicole Winfield — January 25, 2019

LAS GARZAS, Panama (AP) — Pope Francis celebrated an emotional penitential liturgy inside Panama's main youth lockup, the Las Garzas de Pacora detention center.

Amid wall debate, pope says fear of migration makes us crazy

By Nicole Winfield — January 23, 2019

VATICAN CITY (AP) — Asked by reporters about the proposed border wall Wednesday while on his way to Panama, Pope Francis responded: 'It is the fear that makes us crazy.'

Pope Francis will await judgment on Cardinal Pell over sex abuse claims

By Josephine McKenna — July 31, 2016

ROME (RNS) Pope Francis said that once Australian judicial authorities complete their investigation of the Vatican's finance chief he will take any necessary action.

In Poland, Pope Francis tries countering message of religious violence

By David Gibson — July 31, 2016

KRAKOW, Poland (RNS) At the World Youth Day gathering that ended here Sunday, the pontiff encouraged a positive role for faith.

Pope condemns ‘wave of terror,’ urges young people to shun indifference

By Yonat Shimron — July 30, 2016

KRAKOW, Poland — 'Once and for all, may we realize that nothing justifies shedding the blood of a brother or sister,' the pope told a gathering of youth.

Pope thanks Poles for clinging to faith in difficult times

By Yonat Shimron — July 28, 2016

CZESTOCHOWA, Poland -- The pope, whose main purpose in Poland is to preside at an international gathering of Catholic youth in Krakow, prayed before the shrine of the Black Madonna, an ancient Byzantine icon.

Pope Francis faces up to his followers’ fears

By Josephine McKenna — July 27, 2016

VATICAN CITY (RNS) Pope Francis has a tough act to follow in the footsteps of his Polish predecessor as he visits Poland. His concern about the poor and the homeless sits in stark contrast to the Polish church’s conservative approaches.

Pope Francis sends video message to young Catholics in Texas