On 22 November 2020 – the Solemnity of Christ the King, Pope Francis called for a relaunch of the celebration of World Youth Day in the particular Churches. The Pope announced that the celebration, traditionally held on Palm Sunday will now be held on the Sunday of the Solemnity of Christ the King, starting from 2021.
The Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life presented guidelines for World Youth Day (WYD) celebrations in particular churches as a resource to be creative in planning and implementing initiatives which show that the Church considers its mission with young people to be a pastoral priority.
“Pastoral Guidelines for the Celebration of World Youth Day in the Particular Churches” highlights that celebrating WYD in particular churches has great significance for young people and the local ecclesial community because some cannot participate at the international level due to studies, work or financial difficulties. In this regard, celebrating locally “serves to raise awareness among the ecclesial community as a whole − laity, priests, consecrated persons, families, adults and the elderly – of their mission to transmit the faith to the younger generations.”
