History of the WYD Cross & Icon

The 3.8 metre high wooden cross was built and placed as a symbol of the Catholic faith, near the main altar in St Peter's Basilica during the Holy Year of 1983. At the end of the year, Pope John Paul gave this cross as a symbol of Christ's love for humanity.

My dear young people, at the conclusion of the Holy Year, I entrust to you the sign of this Jubilee Year: the Cross of Christ! Carry it throughout the world as a symbol of Christ's love for humanity, and announce to everyone that only in the death and resurrection of Christ can we find salvation and redemption. (His Holiness Pope John Paul II, Rome, 22 April 1984).

The Journey of the WYD Cross...

Since 1984 the WYD Cross has made its way around the world, throughout Europe, behind the Iron Curtain, and to parts of the Americas, Asia, Africa and briefly to Australia, being present at each international celebration of World Youth Day along the way. In 1994 the Cross began in earnest what has since become a tradition: its year long journey around the dioceses of the host nation of each international World Youth Day, as a means of prayerful preparation for the big event.

Heralding these international celebrations of young people, the Cross is now best known as "the World Youth Day Cross". The media have often called the Cross the "Olympic Torch" of the World Youth Day. It is a useful comparison. In each country that the Cross visits, it travels from cities to towns, parishes to prayer groups. Young people take charge of it, spend time in prayer with it, and encourage their peers to do the same.

...and Icon of Our Lady

In 2003, Pope John Paul II gave young people a second symbol of faith to be carried in the world, accompanying the WYD Cross - the Icon of Our Lady, 'Salus Populi Romani', a contemporary copy of a sacred and ancient icon housed in the first and greatest basilica to Mary the Mother of God in the West, St Mary Major.

Today I also entrust to you... the Icon of Mary. From now on it will accompany the World Youth Days, together with the Cross. Behold, your Mother! It will be a sign of Mary's motherly presence close to young people who are called, like the Apostle John, to welcome her into their lives. Rome, 18th World Youth Day, 2003

Pope Benedict XVI continues the Legacy

Pope Benedict XVI, continuing the WYD legacy of his predecessor, spoke at the hand-over ceremony of the WYD Cross and Icon from a group of young Germans to a delegation of young Australians on Palm Sunday 2006. He made clear why the Icon of Mary belongs on the pilgrimage of the WYD Cross.

Our Lady was present in the cenacle with the Apostles as they waited for Pentecost. May she be your mother and guide. May she teach you to receive the word of God, to treasure it and to ponder on it in your heart (cf. Luke 2:19) as she did throughout her life. May she encourage you to declare your "yes" to the Lord as you live "the obedience of faith." May she help you to remain strong in the faith, constant in hope, persevering in charity, always attentive to the word of God.

As we behold Mary in the Icon carrying her Son she teaches us how to carry him to the world.

Millions of young people over the past 20 years have attended the World Youth Days. Hundreds of thousands more have participated in the grace of the event through their encounter with the WYD Cross and Icon.

These symbols are presented most powerfully to the world by young people who carry them not only for a few moments or hours, but in the example of their daily Christian lives.

You are invited to do the same!