CHRONICLE OF WORLD YOUTH DAYS

1984  Rome. St Peter’s Square, Palm Sunday (15 April 1984)

          International youth meeting on the occasion of the Holy Year of the Redemption.

          The Pope presents and entrusts young people with the Cross (22 April 1984)

1985  Rome. St Peter’s Square - Palm Sunday (31 March 1985)

International youth meeting on the occasion of International Youth Year.

The Holy Father addresses an Apostolic Letter to the youth of the world (31 March 1985)

He announces the institution of World Youth Day (20 December 1985)

 

1986  1^st World Youth Day

Theme: “Always be prepared to make a defence to anyone who calls you to account for the hope that is in you” (1Pt 3:15)

Celebration (diocesan level) - Palm Sunday (23 March 1986)

 

1987  2^nd World Youth Day

Theme:“We ourselves have known and put our faith in God’s love towards ourselves” (1Jn 4:16)

Celebration (international level) - Buenos Aires, Argentina (11-12 April 1987)

1988  3^rd World Youth Day

Theme: “Do whatever he tells you” (Jn 2:5)

Celebration (diocesan level) - Palm Sunday (27 March 1988)

1989  4^th World Youth Day

Theme: “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life” (Jn 14:6)

Celebration (international level) - Santiago de Compostela, Spain (15-20 August 1989)

 

1990  5^th World Youth Day

Theme: “I am the vine, you are the branches” (Jn 15:5)

Celebration (diocesan level) - Palm Sunday (8 April 1990)

 

1991  6^th World Youth Day

Theme: “You have received a spirit of sonship” (Rom 8:15)

Celebration (international level) - Czestochowa, Poland (10-15 August 1991)

 

1992  7^th World Youth Day

Theme: “Go into all the world and preach the Gospel” (Mk 16:15)

Celebration (diocesan level) - Palm Sunday (12 April 1992)

 

1993  8^th World Youth Day

Theme: “I came that they might have life, and have it to the full” (Jn 10:10)

Celebration (international level) - Denver, USA (10-15 August 1993)

 

1994-1995

Theme: “As the Father sent me, so am I sending you” (Jn 20: 21)

9^th World Youth Day

Celebration (diocesan level) - Palm Sunday (27 March 1994)

10^th World Youth Day

Celebration (international level) - Manila, Philippines (10-15 January 1995)

 

1996  11^th World Youth Day

Theme: “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life” (Jn 6:68).

Celebration (diocesan level) - Palm Sunday (31 March 1996)

 

1997  12^th World Youth Day

Theme: “Teacher, where are you staying? Come and see” (cf. Jn 1:38-39)

Celebration (international level) - Paris, France (19-24 August 1997)

 

1998  13^th World Youth Day

Theme: “The Holy Spirit will teach you all things” (cf Jn 14:26 )

Celebration (diocesan level) - Palm Sunday (5 April 1998)

 

1999  14^th World Youth Day

Theme: “The Father loves you” (cf. Jn 16:27)

Celebration (diocesan level) - Palm Sunday (28 March 1999)

 

2000  15^th World Youth Day - Youth Jubilee

Theme: “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us” (Jn 1:14)

Celebration (international level) - Rome, Italy (15-20 August 2000)

 

2001  16^th World Youth Day

Theme: ““If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me” (Lk 9:23)

Celebration (diocesan level) - Palm Sunday (8 April 2001)

 

2002  17^th World Youth Day

Theme: "You are the salt of the earth ... you are the light of the world" (Mt 5: 13,14)

Celebration (international level) - Toronto, Canada (23-28 July 2002)

 

2003  18^th World Youth Day

Theme: "Behold, your mother!" (Jn 19,27)

Celebration (diocesan level) - Palm Sunday (13 April 2003)

 

2004  19^th World Youth Day

Theme: "We wish to see Jesus" (Jn 12,21)

Celebration (diocesan level) - Palm Sunday (4 April 2004)

 

2005  20^th World Youth Day

Theme: "We have come to worship Him" (Mt 2,2)

International celebration - Cologne, Germany (August 16-21)

 

2006  21^st World Youth Day

Theme: "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path" (Ps 119, 105)

Celebration (diocesan level) - Palm Sunday (9 April 2006)

 

2007  22^nd World Youth Day

Theme: "Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another" (Jn 13, 34)

Celebration (diocesan level) - Palm Sunday (8 April 2007)

 

2008  23^rd World Youth Day

Theme: "You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses" (Acts 1, 8)

International celebration - Sydney, Australia (15-20 July 2008)

2009  24^th World Youth Day

Theme: "We have set our hope on the living God"
(1 Tm 4:10)

Celebration (diocesan level) - Palm Sunday (5 April 2009)

 

2010  25^th World Youth Day

Theme: "Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?"
(Mk 10:17)

Celebration (diocesan level) - Palm Sunday (28 March 2010)

 

2011 26^th World Youth Day

Theme: "Planted and built up in Jesus Christ, firm in the faith"
(cf Col 2:7)

International celebration - Madrid, Spain (16-21 August 2011)

 

2012 27^th World Youth Day

Theme: “Rejoice in the Lord always!”
(cf. Phil 4:4)

Celebration (diocesan level) - Palm Sunday (1° April 2012)

 

2013  28^th World Youth Day

Theme: "Go and make disciples of all nations!"
(cf. Mt 28:19)

International celebration - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (22-29 July 2013)

Theme: "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" (Mt 5:3).

Celebration (diocesan level)

Theme: "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God" (Mt 5:8).

Celebration (diocesan level)

Theme: "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy" (Mt 5:7).

International celebration - Krakow, Poland (26-31 July 2016)

Theme: "The Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name" (Lk 1:49).

Celebration (diocesan level)

 

Theme: "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favour with God" (Lk 1:30).

Celebration (diocesan level)

 

Theme: "I am the servant of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word " (Lk 1:38).

International celebration - Panama (22-27 January 2019)

Theme: "Young man, I say to you, arise!" (Lk 7:14)

Celebration (diocesan level) - 5 April 2020

 

Theme: "Stand up. I appoint you as a witness of what you have seen" (cf. Acts 26:16)

Celebration (diocesan level) - 21 November 2021

Theme: "Mary arose and went with haste" (Lk 1:39)

Celebration (diocesan level) - 20 November 2022

 

Theme: "Mary arose and went with haste" (Lk 1:39)

International celebration - Lisbon (1-6 August 2023)

Theme: “Rejoicing in Hope" (Rom 12:12)

Celebration (diocesan level) - 26 November 2023

Theme:  "Those who hope in the Lord walk without tiring" (cfr Is 40:31)

Celebration (diocesan level) - 24 November 2024

 

Theme: "You also are my witnesses, because you have been with me" (Jn 15:27)

Rome (Italy), 28 July-3 August 2025 (Youth Jubilee)

Theme: "Take courage! I have overcome the world" (Jn 16:33)

Celebration (diocesan level) - 2026

Theme: "Take courage! I have overcome the world" (Jn 16:33)

International celebration - Seoul 2027