WYD 2013, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Past World Youth Days
Theme:
“Go and make disciples of all peoples” (Matthew 28:19).
Theme Song:
Papal arrival and Welcome Ceremony at Guanabara
Varican Radio - Pope Francis arrived in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Monday, beginning a week-long Apostolic visit to mark the twenty-eighth World Youth Day. After a brief formal greeting at Rio’s Galeão airport, the Holy Father proceeded to Guanabara Palace for the official Welcoming Ceremony, where he was received by the President of Brazil, Dilma Vana Rousseff Linhares, the Governor of Rio State, Sergio Cabral Filho, and the Mayor of the city of Rio de Janeiro, Eduardo Paes.

In her formal remarks, the President expressed joy and gratitude at the Holy Father’s visit. The Holy Father returned those sentiments, and placed his visit in the context of World Youth Day. The Holy Father went on to offer particular encouragement to the young participants, to their families, and to those responsible for forming and empowering the new generation to take up their responsibilities as the future leaders of humanity.

After the exchange of speeches, the Pope and the President retired for a private meeting, during which Francis presented Mrs. Rousseff with a mosaic realized by the Vatican Mosaic Studio according to the centuries-old techniques used to apply the mosaics in St. Peter’s Basilica, and depicting a panoramic view of Rio from just behind and above the great Statue of Christ the Redeemer.

Opening Ceremony and Mass
S+L Commentary:


Pope Francis’ visit to Aparecida
Pope Francis visited and celebrated Mass at the basilica and national shrine of Aparecida in Brazil on July 24. During his visit, the pope entrusted World Youth Day to Mary’s maternal protection, but also challenged parents, priests and other adult Catholics to give the young people things that the world, with all its wealth, cannot: faith and values.

Pope Francis holds up a statue of Our Lady of Aparecida at the beginning of Mass at Brazil’s Basilica of the National Shrine of Our Lady of Aparecida on July 24. (CNS photo/Paul Haring)

Pope Francis waves from the Basilica of the National Shrine of Our Lady of Aparecida in Brazil July 24. (CNS photo/Stefano Rellandini, Reuters)

Pope Francis celebrates Mass at Brazil’s Basilica of the National Shrine of Our Lady of Aparecida on July 24. (CNS photo/Paul Haring)

Pope Francis visits the Varginha Community, Manguinhos Favela
Pope Francis visited the Varginha Community which is part of the Manguinhos Favela in Rio de Janeiro, where he visited the local parish, a family and the community in a football pitch. Here below is the address of Pope Francis to the people of the Varginhas community.

Photo: Pope Francis blesses a boy in the Varginha slum in Rio de Janeiro July 25, during his weeklong visit to Brazil for World Youth Day. (CNS photo/Paul Haring)

Papal Welcome Ceremony at Copacabana
Prayer Vigil with Pope Francis
Pre-vigil Youth Festival on Copacabana:
Prayer Vigil:
WYD Central - Closing
Catechesis and Mass with...
Cardinal Dolan


Archbishop Mark Coleridge


Cardinal Sean O’Malley
WYD Central