A delegation of young people from the Archdiocese of Philadelphia departed on a pilgrimage to Brazil on Monday, July 22 From St. David Parish in Willow Grove to participate in World Youth Day (WYD) with Pope Francis in Rio de Janeiro through next week. This will be Pope Francis’ first appearance at World Youth Day as the Holy Father.

Young people from parishes throughout the Philadelphia area will attend WYD, 20 of whom will also visit the Basilica of Our Lady of Aparecida, patroness of Brazil. The basilica is the fourth most popular Marian shrine in the world.

More than 9,500 young people from the United States are expected to attend WYD.

World Youth Day is a gathering of Catholic youth with the Holy Father, established by Pope John Paul II in 1985. It is celebrated annually in Rome at the diocesan level on Palm Sunday and at a week-long event in a different city every two to three years.

Watch a video of the youths departing from St. David Parish, Willow Grove, for WYD. (Photos and video by Sarah Webb)