WYD symbols
The Cross
It is known as the “Holy Year Cross”, the “Jubilee Cross”, the “WYD Cross”, the “Pilgrim Cross”. Many call it the “Youth Cross” as it was given by Pope John Paul II to young people to take around the world to any place at any time.
It was the Holy year of the Redemption (1983-1984). Pope John Paul II felt that there should be a cross - the symbol of our faith - near the main altar in Saint Peter's Basilica where it could be seen by everyone. A large wooden Cross, 3.8 meters high, was placed there according to the Holy Father's desire.
At the end of the Holy Year, after the Pope had closed the Holy Door, he entrusted that Cross to the youth of the world, represented by the young people from the San Lorenzo Youth Centre in Rome. His words on that occasion were: "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"(Rome, 22nd April 1984).
Since 1984, the WYD Cross set out on its journey around the world, in Europe, beyond the Iron Curtains, and to Americas, Asia, Africa and Australia, always present in the international celebration of WYD. Since 1994, WYD Cross has a journey in dioceses of the host-country of WYD.
The icon of Our Lady
In 2003, Pope John Paul II entrusted to the youth another symbol of faith to be taken all over the world with the Cross: the Icon of Our Lady, Salus Populi Romanix. This icon, is a copy of a venerated icon in Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome (the first and the largest basilica in Rome dedicated to the Blessed Virgin 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." (Angelus, 18th World Youth Day, 13 April 2003)
