“Jesus never closes the door, never, but invites you to enter:

Come and See.“

Pope Francis, WYD Lisbon 2023

About the Theme

Provided by members of CYMFed (Catholic Youth Ministry Federation for England and Wales)

In November 2020, Pope Francis called for a relaunch of World Youth Day (previously celebrated annually on Palm Sunday) and asked the global Catholic community to celebrate Youth Sunday locally on the Solemnity of Christ the King, which on this year falls on Sunday the 26th of November 2023.

It is a day to celebrate the role of young people in the Church, to pray for and encourage young people to deepen their relationship with Jesus and explore various opportunities within the Church.

An international gathering of young people to mark World Youth Day with the Pope occurs biannually, most recently in August in Lisbon, Portugal.

The Catholic Youth Ministry Federation of England and Wales provide various resources to assist parish and school celebrations. Since lockdown 2020, this has included an interactive livestream event, “World Youth FUNday!” connecting classrooms across the UK, this year on Friday 24th November.

“All young people must feel that they are cared for by the Church. Therefore, may the entire Church on a worldwide level be more and more committed to young people, to their concerns and worries and to their aspirations and hopes...”

St Pope John Paul II, December 1985, explaining World Youth Day to the College of Cardinals and members of the Roman Curia.

The Theme for World Youth Day, celebrated in England

and Wales, is “Come and See”.

A welcoming invitation to young people from Jesus, and indeed the whole Church.

It is inspired by the words Pope Francis spoke to young people gathered for the Welcome Ceremony in Lisbon for the international World Youth Day, August 2023.

2023 Theme

“Jesus never closes the door, never, but invites you to enter: Come and See.“

Pope Francis, WYD Lisbon 2023

Posters to Print

For Your Church foyer or welcome board...

World Youth Funday

interactive livestream day, Friday 24th November!

Click here for registration, timetable, posters & more!

Decoration Templates

Resources for Secondary School

Secondary Assembly Presentation

As the name suggests, World Youth Funday is so much FUN! Intended as a way to connect nationwide during lockdown, each year since we have continued to welcome THOUSANDS of UK classrooms to an interactive day of prayer, learning and celebration!

This year’s World Youth Sunday & Funday Livestream welcomed contributors from Catholic organisations across England and Wales. Click their logos to find out more...