World Youth Day in Krakow, Poland

The World Youth Day is being held between July 27 and 31 in Krakow, Poland, the home of Pope St John Paul II. His private secretary, Cardinal Dziwisz in a homily he delivered recently said young people had come to Krakow from peaceful countries, "where families are communities of love and life and where young people can pursue their dreams, but also from countries whose people are suffering due to wars and other kinds of conflicts, where children are starving to death and where Christians are brutally persecuted."

He added that young Catholics would bring to World Youth Day their experiences of "living the Gospel in a difficult world, as well as their "fears and disappointments, hopes and yearning, and desire to live in a more human, more fraternal and loving world. Among us are young pilgrims from parts of the world that are ruled by violence and blind terrorism, and where authorities usurp power over man and nations, following insane ideologies. May the flame of love engulf our world and rid it of egoism, violence and injustice, so that a civilization of good, reconciliation, love and peace will be strengthened on our earth."

Pope Francis arrived in Krakow July 27 on his first visit to Poland. He was scheduled to travel to the former Nazi concentration camp of Auschwitz-Birkenau during his stay, as well as leading an open-air Mass at the country's Jasna Gora national sanctuary. He planned to pray before the relics of St. Faustina at Krakow's Divine Mercy center. The schedule is pretty full for all those attending, and will include Catechetical sessions, meetings with the Pope, Stations of the Cross, visits to various pilgrimage sites, Vigil with the Pope and the final Papal Mass on Sunday.