Lentorama 2021: Take Your Holiday to Go

Day 18: World Youth Day

John Paul II instituted World Youth Day in 1985, influenced by a Polish movement where mixed groups of Catholics would go on retreat together to develop their faith. It's held annually on a diocesan level, with an international gathering every two to four years that's attended by the pope. 

The smaller, annual celebration was traditionally held on Palm Sunday, but Pope Francis changed the date to the Solemnity of Christ the King. The larger event was first held in the spring, but has mostly been held in summer (July or August) since 1989. When it's scheduled for a more tropical location - like Panama or the Philippines - it's held in January.

While the local events tend to be pretty focused on Catholic learning and life, the international event runs over several days and includes a lot of entertainment. Benedict XVI apparently was critical of these events as being seen as similar to a rock festival. But considering it's drawn over 300000 visitors as recently as 2016, maybe let people see it in the light that makes the most sense to them.

I don't know if this really counts as a holiday, but it's a religious event whose date changes regularly so I'm going to run with it. Not to mention that the date of the Solemnity of Christ the King moves as well.