After two successful international gatherings with young people in Rome in 1984 and 1985, St. John Paul II instituted the annual observance of World Youth Day in December 1985 as an annual gathering of youth and young adults for prayer, worship and celebration of the Catholic faith.
General Events include:
Opening Mass, Morning Catechesis and Mass, Youth Festival (concerts, talks, exhibits) Papal Welcome Ceremony Way of the Cross, Evening Candlelight Vigil with the Pope, and Morning Papal Mass