World Youth Day: Polish Bishops propose World Youth Day in mid-July 2016

The Polish Bishops propose that the next World Youth Day be held in Cracow in the second half of 2016. This was announced by the final release of the Bishops’ meeting that took place in Czestochowa on August 26th. The committee in charge of Pope Francis’ visit to Poland during the gathering of – assumedly – at least two million young people from all over the world, which will get to work as early as next September, will be chaired by Cardinal Stanislaw Dziwisz. “The Polish Church needs such new momentum and a new touch from the Holy Spirit”, states mgr. Stanislaw Budzik, ensuring that “the Bishops welcome all the problems of organising the WYD in Poland, since they too are an extraordinary pastoral opportunity”. Cracow’s Days will take place to coincide with the 25th anniversary of the youth meeting with John Paul II in Czestochowa and the celebration of the 1050th anniversary of Poland’s Christianisation. In their release, the Bishops also point out that “the canonisation of John XXIII and John Paul II, to be expected in Spring, will offer an opportunity for a more extensive spiritual preparation” and already encourage specific initiatives in the parishes and ecclesial communities.