WYD 2023

World Youth Day 2023 took place in Lisbon, Portugal, from August 1–6, 2023, gathering hundreds of thousands of young people from around the world for a week of faith, culture, and celebration. With the theme “Mary arose and went with haste” (Luke 1:39), the event encouraged youth to live their faith with joy and action. The week included opening and closing Masses, a welcoming ceremony with Pope Francis, and a night-long vigil at Parque Tejo, where over 1.5 million pilgrims attended the final Mass. Beyond prayer and worship, WYD featured concerts, cultural exhibitions, service projects, and moments of reflection, creating a vibrant mix of spirituality and festival atmosphere. It stood as a powerful sign of hope, unity, and renewal, showing the energy and diversity of young people in the global Church.