After celebrating Mass for nearly three million people yesterday, Pope Francis announced that the next Word Youth Day will be held in Krakow, Poland in 2016, then flew back to Rome where he stopped by the Basilica of St. Mary Major on the way home to thank Our Lady for her help during the trip.
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Yesterday's visit to a slum in Rio de Janiero where Pope Francis kissed more than 138 babie and spent time praying with a poor family in their home is being hailed as one of the most touching papal "walkabouts" in history.
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Pope Francis is a hit! In spite of an almost constant rain, the pope's humble simplicity and heartfelt warmth has been wowing everyone at World Youth Day from the young people traveled from around the world to see him, to state dignitaries and the general population.
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The Vatican is affirming that Pope Francis, known as Papa Francesco in Rio de Janiero, is enjoying himself in Brazil in spite of a few close calls with crowds and protestors.
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Pope Francis landed twenty minute ahead of schedule in Rio de Janiero yesterday and humbly asked the people of Brazil for their permission to spend the week in their company.
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World Youth Day 2008 is far from over for hundreds of young people from around the world who are petitioning the Australian courts to grant them asylum rather than force them to return home and face almost certain persecution.
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By Susan Brinkmann, OCDS
Staff Journalist
From the moment he landed in one of Europe's most secular nations, Pope Benedict XVI took on secularism in Spain, encouraging a massive throng of nearly one million youth from 190 countries to build their lives "on the firm foundation" of the Christian faith.
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By Susan Brinkmann, OCDS
Staff Journalist
The Vatican has granted a special concession for World Youth Day (WYD) that will allow youth who have been involved in abortion to be absolved and welcomed back into the Church.
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By Susan Brinkmann, OCDS
Staff Journalist
As millions of young people from around the world converge on Madrid this week for what is expected to be the largest World Youth Day (WYD) ever, Pope Benedict XVI is asking the faithful to keep this event in prayer.
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By Susan Brinkmann, OCDS
Staff Writer
Health care workers in Australia are blaming World Youth Day (WYD) pilgrims for an outbreak of unusual strains of flu viruses that have been occurring in Australia since the July event.
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