1984 Rome. St Peter’s Square, Palm Sunday (15 April 1984) International youth meeting on the occasion of the Holy Year of the Redemption. The Pope presents and entrusts young people with the Cross (22 April 1984)
1985 Rome. St Peter’s Square – Palm Sunday (31 March 1985) International youth meeting on the occasion of International Youth Year. The Holy Father addresses an Apostolic Letter to the youth of the world (31 March 1985) He announces the institution of World Youth Day (20 December 1985)
1986 1st World Youth Day Theme: “Always be prepared to make a defense to anyone who calls you to account for the hope that is in you” (1Pt 3:15) Celebration (diocesan level): Palm Sunday (23 March 1986)
1987 2nd World Youth Day Theme: “We ourselves have known and put our faith in God’s love towards ourselves” (1Jn 4:16) Celebration (international level): Buenos Aires, Argentina (11-12 April 1987)
1988 3rd World Youth Day Theme: “Do whatever he tells you” (Jn 2:5) Celebration (diocesan level): Palm Sunday (27 March 1988)
1989 4th World Youth Day Theme: “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life” (Jn 14:6) Celebration (international level): Santiago de Compostela, Spain (15-20 August 1989)
1990 5th World Youth Day Theme: “I am the vine, you are the branches” (Jn 15:5) Celebration (diocesan level): Palm Sunday (8 April 1990)
1991 6th World Youth Day Theme: “You have received a spirit of sonship” (Rom 8:15) Celebration (international level): Czestochowa, Poland (10-15 August 1991)
1992 7th World Youth Day Theme: “Go into all the world and preach the Gospel” (Mk 16:15) Celebration (diocesan level): Palm Sunday (12 April 1992)
1993 8th World Youth Day Theme: “I came that they might have life, and have it to the full” (Jn 10:10) Celebration (international level): Denver, USA (10-15 August 1993)
1994-1995 Theme: “As the Father sent me, so am I sending you” (Jn 20: 21)
9th World Youth Day Celebration (diocesan level): Palm Sunday (27 March 1994)
10th World Youth Day Celebration (international level): Manila, Philippines (10-15 January 1995)
1996 11th World Youth Day Theme: “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life” (Jn 6:68).
Celebration (diocesan level): Palm Sunday (31 March 1996)
1997 12th World Youth Day Theme: “Teacher, where are you staying? Come and see” (cf. Jn 1:38-39) Celebration (international level): Paris, France (19-24 August 1997)
1998 13th World Youth Day Theme: “The Holy Spirit will teach you all things” (cf Jn 14:26 ) Celebration (diocesan level): Palm Sunday (5 April 1998)
1999 14th World Youth Day Theme: “The Father loves you” (cf. Jn 16:27) Celebration (diocesan level): Palm Sunday (28 March 1999)
2000 15th World Youth Day – Youth Jubilee Theme: “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us” (Jn 1:14) Celebration (international level): Rome, Italy (15-20 August 2000)
2001 16th World Youth Day Theme: ““If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me” (Lk 9:23) Celebration (diocesan level): Palm Sunday (8 April)
2002 17th World Youth Day Theme: “You are the salt of the earth … you are the light of the world” (Mt 5: 13,14) Celebration (international level): Toronto, Canada (23-28 July 2002)
2003 18th World Youth Day Theme: “Behold, your mother!” (Jn 19,27) Celebration (diocesan level): Palm Sunday (13 April)
2004 19th World Youth Day Theme: “We wish to see Jesus” (Jn 12,21) Celebration (diocesan level): Palm Sunday (4 April)
2005 20th World Youth Day Theme: “We have come to worship Him” (Mt 2,2) International celebration: Cologne (August 16-21)
2006 21st World Youth Day Theme: “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Ps 119, 105) Celebration (diocesan level): Palm Sunday (9 April)
2007 22nd World Youth Day Theme: “Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another” (Jn 13, 34) Celebration (diocesan level): Palm Sunday (8 April)
2008 23rd World Youth Day Theme: “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses” (Acts 1, 8) International celebration – Sydney, 15-20 July 2008
2009 24th World Youth Day Theme: “We have set our hope on the living God” (1 Tm 4:10)
2010 25th World Youth Day Theme: “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” (Mk 10:17)
2011 26th World Youth Day Theme: “Planted and built up in Jesus Christ, firm in the faith” (cf Col 2:7) International celebration – Madrid (Spain), 16-21 August 2011