Pope John Paul II loves young people.
And the feeling is mutual.

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World Youth Days

1987: Buenos Aires, Argentina
"Be witness to the love of Christ, sowers of hope and builders of peace."

1989: Santiago de Compostela, Spain
"Do not be afraid to be saints."

1991: Czestochowa, Poland
"Be demanding of the world around you; be demanding first of all with yourselves. Be children of God; take pride in it!"

1993: Denver, Colorado
"Offer your youthful energies to building a civilization of Christian love. Be witness of God's love for the innocent and the weak, for the poor and oppressed."

1997: Paris, France

2000: Rome, Italy

2002: Toronto, Canada

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Messages to Youth from John Paul II

October 22, 1978, Inauguration Ceremonies
A special greeting to youth: "You are the future of the world, you are the hope of the Church, you are my hope."

August 12, 1993, World Youth Day in Denver, Colorado
"Young people of America and of the world, listen to what Christ the Redeemer is saying to you! 'To all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God.' The World Youth Day challenges you to be fully conscious of who you are as God's dearly beloved sons and daughters."

August 14, 1991, World Youth Day in Czestochowa, Poland
"...I pray that young people from East and West will walk together along the path of freedom, working to overcome all conflicts between races and peoples, so as to build a world of authentic brotherhood and carry the liberating message of the Gospel everywhere."

1984, Mass of the Holy Year of Redemption, St. Peter's Square, Vatican
"In a very real sense, the twenty-first century...belongs to you. I ask you, therefore, to think carefully about the choices in life which you have to make."

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How World Youth Day Got Started

In 1985, Pope John Paul II issued a 15,000 word apostolic letter specifically addressed to the young people of the world. Later that year, he announced his desire for a youth day observance to celebrate the faith of Catholic young people throughout the world. This announcement occurred in an address at the end of 1985, the United Nations' International Youth Year.

For the first celebration of World Youth Day in 1986, bishops all over the world were invited to schedule an annual youth event to be held every Palm Sunday in their dioceses. And, the pope that year addressed his Palm Sunday homily to the world's youth. This first Vatican observance began the series of international youth events, which are now held every other year. Even the Pope himself participates.

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The Pope's Connection to Young People

Even as a young parish priest, the future pope devoted much of his time and energy to young people--playing soccer, teaching religion, and leading philosophical discussions. Even on July 4, 1958, the day he was named a bishop, Karol Wojtyla was on a canoeing holiday with students.

All throughout his papacy, John Paul II continued to reach out to young people. By establishing World Youth Day, and personally participating in it, the Pope witnessed to the affection and care he had for young people.