The first welcoming gesture of the Christian community living in Rome to the young people from all over the world will be the celebration of the Eucharist on the solemn Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary into Heaven.  On the morning of the 15^th August, the young people will gather in the parish churches or other suitable places and will be welcomed by the local communities with the typical gesture of Roman charity:  the washing of feet.  This gesture has its origins not only in the Gospel but in the practice of St Philip Neri to the pilgrims who came to Rome during the Holy Year.  The theme of the celebration, suggested by the Feast of the Assumption and the related biblical texts, is Mary of the Magnificat, the dawn of new times, who made her “profession of faith” in the freely given and out-flowing love of the Father.  Mary introduces us to the mystery of the Incarnation, which is at the centre of the World Day.  A sign of the presence of Mary will be the reception in all the parishes of a reproduction of an icon of Mary, Salus Populi Romani, venerated in the basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore.

Opening of WYD

In the afternoon, the Holy Father will welcome the young people to Rome, and officially open the World Day.  As Bishop of Rome he welcomes them, giving them the symbol of faith and confirming  them in the path they have undertaken.  The meeting point, charged with symbolism and reality because of the presence of the tomb of the first of the apostles, is the Basilica of St Peter’s. It is here that the ceremony of welcome will take place.  For the opening of the fifteenth World Day of Youth, a greater number of arrivals than St Peter’s Square and Via della Conciliazione can contain is expected.  Hence the need to gather the young people both in St Peter’s Square and outside St John Lateran.  In particular, the Pope, as Bishop of Rome, will greet and thank the young Italians and Romans in the Cathedral of the city.  In St Peter’s Square, the welcome ceremony will have other salient moments, apart from the arrival of the icon of Mary, Salus Populi Romani; the presentation of the continents, each with its own creative and variegated display, for a mutual exchange of typical gifts which will become an expression of a communion of prayer and faith, of celebration and friendship.  The theme of the Day will then be proclaimed: The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us, followed by prayers led by the Holy Father, who as successor of Peter, to whom the Lord granted the custody of his flock, will pray for the young people and for the World Day of Youth.