Programme
| Monday25.07 | Tuesday26.07 | Wednesday27.07 | Thursday28.07 | Friday29.07 | Saturday30.07 | Sunday31.07 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morning | Arrival | Catechesis of the bishops, catechesis on the way |
Pilgrimage to the vigil site | Final mass | |||
| Midday | Arrival | Vocations Center Youth Festival |
Volunteers meet with the Holy Father | ||||
| Evening | Arrival | Opening Mass (17.30) |
Youth Festival | Papal welcome | Way of the cross | Vigil with the Holy Father | |
Opening Mass (Tuesday, 26 July)
The World Youth Day in Cracow will be officially commenced by the Opening Mass that will be celebrated by Cardinal Stanisław Dziwisz. At this time, the international nature of the event is emphasised and the host of the World Youth Day is presented. The Opening Mass also encourages all hesitant persons to participate in the WYD. It will take place on Tuesday afternoon on the 26th of July 2016 in Cracow.
Welcoming Ceremony (Thursday, 28 July)
An important moment of the festivities is certainly the meeting with Pope Francis, called the Welcoming Ceremony, which is the time of particular joy due to the presence of the Vicar of Christ and congregational prayer. It is a religious service when we listen to the God's Word and the first sermon of the Pope. The ceremony is international in nature. During the WYD in Cracow, we will see Pope Francis for the first time on Thursday, 28 July 2016.
Way of Cross (Friday, 29 July)
On Friday, the Way of Cross will be held that emphasises the penitential nature of the WYD. The Cross of the WYD is usually carried during the procession, and the youths follow it, giving testimony to their faith (sometimes, the Way of Cross is conducted in several places at the same time). Young people from the entire world will get to experience Christ the Crucified in Cracow on 29 July 2016.
Vigil with the Pope (Saturday, 30 July)
The most personal moment is the Vigil with the Pope. This is an exceptionally intense time for prayer and meeting with Jesus Christ. In this manner, the youth nature of the WYD is emphasised. The participants to the vigil in Cracow will pray alongside Pope Francis before the Blessed Sacrament on a Saturday evening on 30 July 2016.
Closing Mass (Sunday, 31 July)
On 31 July 2016, the last Major Event will take place – the Closing Mass that will be celebrated by the Pope. The mass is a solemn summary of the WYD – a climax of all meetings. During the Holy Mass, the Pope "sends the youth to the entire world". At the end of the mass, during Angelus, Father Francis will traditionally proclaim the place and date of the World Youth Day to follow.
A Vocational Centre will be a part of the Youth Festival during the World Youth Day – a place in which young people can learn about the various ways to fulfil their vocation.
