In 1984 Pope John Paul II wanted to organize a meeting for Palm Sunday, in Rome, to celebrate the Jubilee of young people in the context of the Holy Year of the Redemption 1983-1984. 60,000 pilgrims were expected. 250,000 arrived, from many countries. The experience was so significant for the whole Church that the Holy Father decided to repeat it the following year.
In 1985 John Paul II wrote an Apostolic Letter to the young throughout the world and on 20 December announced that he was establishing World Youth Day.
Countries that have hosted the WYD in the past:
1986: Italy
1987: Argentina
1989: Spain
1991: Poland
1993: United States
1995: Philippines
1997: France
2000: Italy
2002: Canada
2005: Germany
2008: Australia
2011: Spain
2013: Brazil
2016: Poland
2019: Panama
ANS - “Agenzia iNfo Salesiana” is a on-line almost daily publication, the communication agency of the Salesian Congregation enrolled in the Press Register of the Tibunal of Rome as n 153/2007.
