Vatican City (AsiaNews) - Pope Francis has decided that the themes for the next three World Youth Days will be taken from the Gospel Beatitudes.
The decision was made public in a statement today. For the diocesan World Youth Day of 2014, the theme is "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" (Mt, 5:3). For that of 2015, it will be "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God" (Mt, 5:8). And for World Youth Day in Krakow in 2016, it will "Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy" (Mt, 5:7).
During World Youth Day in Rio de Janeiro, Francis called on young people, "with all my heart," to re-read the Beatitudes and turn them into an actual lifetime programme.
The themes chosen for the next three WYD are meant to be the stages of a three-year spiritual preparation that will culminate in the international celebration with the pope in Krakow in July 2016.