Poland: The XXXI edition of World Youth Day took off to a vibrant & colorful start on Tuesday, July 26.

The holy mass and the inauguration ceremony were held at Blonia Park. More than two million catholic youth from all corners of the world gathered for the inauguration and the holy mass celebrated by His Eminence Cardinal Stanislaw Dziwisz along with more than 200 bishops of various nationalities and thousands of priests and nuns. The prime minister of Poland along with his family & close aides was also present for the event.

The Blonia Park was nothing less than a sea of humanity with youth gathered from across the globe. “Blessed are the merciful for they shall obtain mercy” being the theme of WYD 2016.

This world youth day stands to be more special one as it is being hosted in Krakow, Poland the birth place of pope St. John Paul II as he is the one who initiated the concept of the world youth day.

The world youth days will be held from the 26th to the 31st of July.

Holy Father pope Francis is expected to arrive in Krakow on July 28 and spend rest of the days with the young people gathered. More than 3 million people are expected to gather for the final mass and closing ceremony to be celebrated by Holy Father pope Francis.

With young people from across more than 150 countries of the world being gathered here, it is estimated that more than thousand young pilgrims are taking part from India. The Indian delegation is lead by Most.Rev Bishop Henry D’Souza, bishop of Bellary & Chairman youth commission of India.

It is a proud factor for our region as three young youths from Mangaluru and Udupi dioceses have been selected to work with the organising committee in putting together this mega event.

Popular singer and well known as rockstar of Konkani music Kevin Misquith, Ace anchor Sheldon Crasta from Mangaluru along with Loyal D’Souza, president of ICYM Udupi diocese have been selected among only 12 others from India after due procedures and were trained for the purpose from the last two weeks.

The city of Krakow is set abuzz with young pilgrims from all around the world. It also happens to be the city of yet another saint St. Sister Faustina. It is also known for being the city for the devotion of divine mercy and is rightly being called as city of divine mercy.

The choice of Krakow & world youth days motto lead everyone to the spark of mercy.