What happens

Over the course of a week, young people from all over the world are welcomed, mainly in public (gymnasiums, schools, pavilions …) and parish facilities or family homes. In addition to the moments of prayer, sharing and leisure, the young people enrolled in this celebration participate in various initiatives organized by the WYD team, in different locations across the host city. The highlights are the celebrations (central features) for which the Pope is present, such as the welcoming and opening ceremony, the Way of the Cross, the vigil and, on the last day, the closing mass. Over the years various groups from the Archdiocese of Dublin have benefited from the hospitality local parishes in host countries all over the world.

Days in the dioceses

“Pre-WYD” or “days in the dioceses” is a gathering that precedes the week of WYD and involves integrating the young people from all over the world in the parish communities, in the various dioceses of the country and, in some cases, in the dioceses of neighbouring countries. During these days, the participants can get to know the host region better, as well as the local Church and its features, and as is also the case in WYD week, they stay in public or parish facilities or family homes. The pre-WYD for WYD Lisbon 2023 will take place from north to south of Portugal, including the islands.