World Youth Day - Frequently Asked Questions

Question: What are the names and dates of each WYD 2013 event?

• Tuesday, July 23, 2013 @ 6pm: Opening Mass on Copacabana Beach
• July 22, through 26, 2013: Youth Festival
• July 24 through 26, 2013: The traditional catechesis will take place on each of the 3 mornings, and will be given in different languages by bishops from all over the world in church and civic venues in Rio de Janeiro.
• Thursday, July 25, 2013: Welcome Ceremony on Copacabana Beach
• Friday, July 26, 2013: Way of the Cross {Via Crucis} on Copacabana Beach along the Via Atlantica @ 6pm
• Saturday, July 27, 2013: Evening Vigil with Pope Benedict XVI @ Guaratiba site
• Sunday, July 28, 2013: Morning Papal Mass @ Guaratiba site
  

Question: How will pilgrims travel to the closing site?

• The closing Vigil and Papal Mass site is located in Guaratiba, Rio de Janeiro. It is approximately 32 miles outside of Rio de Janeiro city. The use of private coach buses will not be permitted in Rio during WYD 2013. However, committees in Rio are currently working to coordinate the use of public transit to transport pilgrims to a location near the Guaratiba venue and from the drop off location there will be a several mile journey (by foot) to the site. The costs of public transportation to WYD event sites is included in the pilgrim registration fee.
  

Question: How can I get a WYD 2013 visa free of charge?

• Please click the link here, and follow these instructions
  

Question: Which airline should I choose?

• We suggest you do a thorough online search of airfare deals and specials to find the best price possible. USCCB policy prohibits the endorsement of one airline over another. However, a good price for this event would be between $1,600 and $1,900 (US Dollars)
  

Question: What sort of lodging and accommodations will be made available for pilgrims?

• Groups will be in separate housing according to gender. No one is allowed to register any one group larger in number than 50. This number includes the leader(s). Once a group is at 50 you are asked to create subgroups. To do this, use the same leader information for each group and subgroup in order to make sure your group will be housed together.
  

Question: How do I pack?! What should I bring?

• Try to pack as lightly as possible, only bring the essentials. Here is a video from WYD 2011 that should give first time pilgrims an idea of How To Pack for WYD.

Please Contact Us with any other Questions

Phone: (202) 541-3044
E-mail: wyd@usccb.org