It marks the official beginning of Holy Week during which Christians observe the death of Christ before celebrations begin on Easter.
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Pope Francis opened the registration period for next year’s World Youth Day in Poland, using a tablet computer to sign himself up from a window overlooking St. Peter’s Square during the traditional Sunday blessing.
“Look, I enrolled in the Day as a pilgrim through this electronic device”, Pope Francis said.
(Vatican Radio) Polish Cardinal Stanislaw Rylko, President of the Pontifical Council for the Laity, has sent a message looking ahead to the next World Youth Day which will take place in Krakow from July 26th to 31st 2016.
Before digitally signing up for the event followed, the Pope appealed for the release of Italian Jesuit priest Paola Dall’Oglio, who was kidnapped in Syria two years ago. The Pontiff made a call for “renewed engagement by local and worldwide authorities” in order to ensure that all hostages being held.
More than 1 million people are expected in Philadelphia, where the pope will celebrate an outdoor Mass. Pope Francis is scheduled to attend the event that will be focused on the theme from the Beatitudes: “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy”.
Since being established, World Youth Day has been held in different countries across four continents.
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The next edition of the global meeting of Catholic youths will be held next July in Krakow, Poland.
