Portugal 2023 2€ World Youth Day PROOF

World Youth Day is a religious event instituted by Pope John Paul II on December 20, 1985, which brings together millions of Catholics from all over the world, especially young people. Lasting about a week, it promotes Catholic Church events for young people and with young people.

Inspired by large gatherings of the world's youth at special events held on Palm Sunday in Rome in 1984 and 1985, Pope John Paul II established World Youth Day as an annual event (which later became two or three years) with the aim of reaching new generations of Catholics, thus propagating the teachings of the Church.

The event is held in a city chosen by the Pope. In the intervening years, the Days are lived locally, on Palm Sunday, by dioceses around the world. For each Day, the Pope suggests a theme, taken from a biblical verse. Thus, each Journey has a hymn based on the theme, patrons, intercessors and a logo. During WYD, events such as catechesis, adoration, masses, moments of prayer, lectures, sharing and shows take place, all in different languages.

Despite being organized by the Catholic Church, WYD is open to all young people in the world.