"CELEBRATE JESUS"

To celebrate Jesus Who is living in our midst! To say that Jesus is alive means to rekindle our enthusiasm in following Him, to renew our passionate desire to be His disciples.

A GREAT OPPORTUNITY

What better opportunity to renew our friendship with Jesus than by building friendships among yourselves! What better way to build our friendship with Jesus than by sharing Him with others! What better way to experience the contagious joy of the Gospel than by striving to bring the Good News to all kinds of painful and difficult situations!

JESUS CALLS

... It is Jesus Who has called us to this Thirty-first World Youth Day. Jesus tells us: "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall find mercy" (Mt 5:7). Blessed indeed are they who can forgive, who show heartfelt compassion, who are capable of offering the very best to others; the best, not what is left over: the best!

JUBILEE CELEBRATION

From this land, with you and all those young people who cannot be present today yet join us through various communications media, we are going to make this World Youth Day an authentic Jubilee celebration, in this Jubilee of Mercy.

A BEAUTIFUL SIGHT

... Nothing is more beautiful than seeing the enthusiasm, dedication, zeal and energy with which so many young people live their lives... When Jesus touches a young person's heart, he or she becomes capable of truly great things.

CHURCH, WORLD LOOK TO YOU

Today the Church looks to you, and I would add, the world looks to you, and wants to learn from you, to be reassured that the Father's Mercy has an ever-youthful face, and constantly invites us to be part of His Kingdom, it is a Kingdom of joy, a Kingdom always joyful, always driving us forward, a Kingdom able to give us the strength to change things.

EMBRACES EVERYONE

A merciful heart can go out and meet others; it is ready to embrace everyone.

"JESUS CHALLENGES US"

Jesus can give you true passion for life. Jesus can inspire us not to settle for less, but to give the very best of ourselves. Jesus challenges us, spurs us on and helps us keep trying whenever we are tempted to give up. Jesus pushes us to keep our sights high and to dream of great things.

SEND US, LORD

Here we are, Lord! Send us to share Your merciful love. We want to welcome You in our midst during this World Youth Day. We want to affirm that our lives are fulfilled when they are shaped by mercy, that this is the better part, the sweetest part, and that it will never be taken from us.

(Source: Address of the Holy Father, Welcoming Ceremony, Krakow, Poland, July 28, 2016)