On this occasion, on April 14 of that same year, nearly three hundred thousand young people made a pilgrimage to the Eternal City invited by the Polish Pope, giving rise to the WYD that we know today.
For several days they participated in different events, similar to those organized today, such as catechism given in the churches of Rome and a Holy Mass in St. Peter’s Square presided over by the Pope.
This global event showed the desire that young people had to share their faith. For this reason, at the end of the year, John Paul II officially announced the institution of World Youth Day, inviting it to be celebrated every Palm Sunday in the different dioceses.
Since then, a diocesan celebration was held and an international meeting was scheduled every two years. The first took place in Buenos Aires (Argentina), in 1987.