Krakow, Poland: The 31st edition world youth day took off to a vibrant & colorful start here on Tuesday the 26th of July.

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

The Blonia Park was nothing less than a sea of humanity with youth gathered from across the globe with " 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 world youth days.

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

The holy father pope Francis is expected to arrive in Krakow on 28th of July and spend rest of the days with the young gathered. More than 3 million people are expected to gather for the final mass & closing ceremony to be celebrated by the 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 of Youth Commission of India.

It is a proud factor for our region as three young youth from Mangalore and Udupi dioceses have been selected to work with the Organizing Committee in putting together this mega event.

Popular singer & well known as Rockstar of Konkani music, Kevin Misquith, Ace anchor well known for adkulo budkulo,hashyacho pavs of TV daiiworld fame Sheldon Crasta from Mangalore along with Loyal DSouza, President of ICYM Udupi diocese have been selected among only 12 others from India after due procedures & trained for the purpose from the last two weeks.

The city of Krakow all set to buzz with young pilgrimes 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 & rightly being called as City of Divine Mercy.

The choice of Krakow & world youth days motto leads us to the spark of mercy.