The Gospel of Luke’s description of what Mary did after learning she would become the mother of Jesus — “Mary arose and went with haste” to Elizabeth — is the theme Pope Francis chose for two WYD celebrations: on a local level Nov. 20, the feast of Christ the King, and for the world gathering in Lisbon, Portugal, Aug. 1-6, 2023.
Young must hasten to share God’s love, pope says in World Youth Day message
Be prophets of ‘hope-filled future,’ pope tells young people
Pope Francis chose several verses that reflect on the call to “arise” and “stand up” as the themes for World Youth Day 2020-2022 in dioceses around the world, leading up to the international gathering in Lisbon, Portugal, in 2023.
WYD organizers release official theme song for Lisbon 2023 gathering
World Youth Day organizers released the winning theme song for the international gathering in Lisbon, Portugal, in 2023.