Feature Series

January 24, 2019

Pilgrim’s diary: We’re here, and we’re ready

By Rachel Wong, Catholic Register Special

Rachel Wong addresses the pilgrims during a catechesis session at WYD.

PANAMA CITY — I stood on a stage, looking out over a sea of young pilgrims. I had seen such crowds before, but never with such profound diversity. Flags representing countries from all over the world waved under the hot Panama sun. Despite the heat, there was a great sense of excitement and great expectation.

Shona Mass is a little bit of home for Zimbabweans in Edmonton

By Thandiwe Konguavi, Canadian Catholic News

Maroro Zinyemba, centre, and other Zimbabwean Catholics celebrate a special Mass once a month with songs sung in Shona.

EDMONTON – On a wintry Sunday morning in an Edmonton church, Eve Masenda ties a blue chitenge — an African sarong-like garment — around her daughter’s waist before Mass begins.

January 28, 2019

As WYD Panama closes, Pope urges volunteers to keep serving

By Catholic News Service

Pope Francis arrives at Panama City's Rommel Fernandez Stadium Jan. 27, 2019, to thank World Youth Day volunteers for their service in making the event a reality.

PANAMA CITY – Just before leaving the physical and human warmth of Panama Jan. 27, Pope Francis stopped to thank the thousands of official volunteers, young and old, gathered at the capital city's Rommel Fernandez Stadium to tell them that they had just participated in an event similar to one that took place early in Christianity.

January 27, 2019

World Youth Day 2022 will be in Portugal

By Catholic News Service

Pope Francis greets the crowd before celebrating Mass for World Youth Day pilgrims at St. John Paul II Field in Panama City Jan. 27, 2019.

PANAMA CITY – Lisbon, Portugal, will open its doors to the world's young people in 2022 for the next World Youth Day.

January 27, 2019

Locals shows solidarity with Nicaraguan, Venezuelan pilgrims en route to World Youth Day vigil

By Catholic News Service

A sign calls attention to Venezuela as Pope Francis leads the World Youth Day prayer vigil at St. John Paul II Field in Panama City Jan. 26, 2019.

PANAMA CITY – As thousands of pilgrims streamed through the neighborhood of Las Acacias en route to the World Day Youth vigil, those from Nicaragua and Venezuela received special cheers and applause as they carried the flags of their respective countries.

January 27, 2019

Be 'influencers' for God, imitate Mary, Pope urges at World Youth Day vigil

By Catholic News Service

Young people attend the World Youth Day vigil at St. John Paul II Field in Panama City Jan. 26, 2019.

PANAMA CITY – Although Mary would not be considered an "influencer," like many social media personalities, she still became the most influential woman in history by trusting "in the love and promises of God, the only force capable of making all things new," Pope Francis told young people at the World Youth Day prayer vigil Jan. 26.

January 27, 2019

U.S. pilgrim questions Pope on abuse crisis during lunch in Panama

By Catholic News Service

Pope Francis has lunch with a group of World Youth Day pilgrims at the San Jose seminary in Panama City Jan. 26, 2019.

PANAMA CITY – While sharing a private lunch with pilgrims from around the world, Pope Francis expressed his solidarity with victims of sexual abuse by members of the clergy and emphasized the need for unity and prayer, a U.S. pilgrim said.

January 26, 2019

Church wounded by sin causes doubt in our mission, Pope Francis tells Panama clergy, laity

By Catholic News Service

Pope Francis blesses the crowd with the monstrance during the World Youth Day prayer vigil at St. John Paul II Field in Panama City Jan. 26, 2019.

PANAMA CITY – A church wounded by sin can paralyze, confuse and tire the hearts of Catholic clergy and laypeople, causing them to doubt their mission in the modern world, Pope Francis said.

January 26, 2019

At Way of the Cross, Pope reflects on suffering of abuse victims, indigenous peoples, the forgotten

By Catholic News Service

Pope Francis joins World Youth Day pilgrims in the Way of the Cross at Santa Maria la Antigua Field in Panama City Jan. 25, 2019.

PANAMA CITY – The path walked by Jesus to his passion and death on the cross is the same path of indifference and marginalization taken by those who suffer in the world today, Pope Francis said.

January 26, 2019

Jean Ko Din in Panama: Our pilgrimage to the bathrooms at Cinta Costera

By Jean Ko Din, The Catholic Register

Pilgrims carry the World Youth Day cross as Pope Francis joins them in the Way of the Cross at Santa Maria la Antigua Field in Panama City Jan. 25, 2019.

World Youth Day pilgrims can tell you many stories about the adventures we all had at Cinta Costera these last few days but none are more harrowing than my adventure to find a bathroom.

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January 26, 2019

Pilgrim's diary: An exercise in unity

By Alicia Escobar, Catholic Register Special

Pilgrims from St. Benedict's Parish, Chinese Martyrs Catholic Church, St. Paschal Baylon and St. Gabriel's Passionist Parish.

PANAMA CITY – Friday was one of the best days so far.

January 22, 2019

Canadian volunteers avoid sticky situation in Panama

By Jean Ko Din, The Catholic Register

WYD volunteers help clean up Costa del Este beach in Panama.

PANAMA CITY – Unexpected challenges are part of the job description when you’re working as a volunteer at World Youth Day Panama, but what Ana Sanchez didn’t expect was that it could also be dangerous.

January 25, 2019

'Each of us is more than our labels', Pope tells young detainees in Panama

By Catholic News Service

Pope Francis hears confession during a penitential liturgy with juvenile detainees in Las Garzas de Pacora Juvenile Detention Center in Pacora, Panama, Jan. 25, 2019.

PANAMA CITY – Just like the Pharisees, many today shun Jesus' merciful love toward sinners and prefer to use labels that stigmatize a person's past, present and future, Pope Francis said.