John Paul II patron saint of World Youth Day

John Paul II will become patron saint of World Youth Day.

The announcement came from Pope Francis in his message for the 29th World Youth Day.

“He will be the great patron of the World Youth Days which he inaugurated and always supported,” Pope Francis said.

“In the communion of saints he will continue to be a father and friend to all of you,” he said.

Pope Francis will canonise John Paul II on 27 April 2014, Divine Mercy Sunday.

As pope, John Paul II announced the first World Youth Day in 1985.

Annual WYD events are held at the Vatican on Palm Sunday. International WYD events are held less regularly.

In his message for 2014 WYD, Pope Francis reminded the young people that Jesus has shown us the way to follow, embodying the Beatitudes in his entire life: to live the beatitudes today is a real challenge to follow Christ going against the tide and witnessing the revolutionary novelty.

The next worldwide WYD is to take place in Krakow, Poland in 2016.

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