RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - JULY 26: Pope Francis waves from the Popemobile on his way to attend the Via Crucis on Copacabana Beach during World Youth Day celebrations on July 26, 2013 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images) (2013 Getty Images)
Pope Francis is expected to receive a rock star's welcome at the 15th international World Youth Day, which kicks off today in Panama City, Panama, the first time the massive gathering of hundreds of thousands of Catholic youth will be held in Central America.
This year's theme is "Young People and the Example of Mary," based on the Scripture Luke 1:38: "I am the servant of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word."
POPE FRANCIS LAUNCHES 'CLICK TO PRAY' APP AHEAD OF WORLD YOUTH DAY
On Sunday, the Holy Father unveiled a new app, "Click to Pray," so that the 1.3 Catholics worldwide can join him in his daily prayers and petitions, and specifically asked for people to download the app ahead of World Youth Day 2019.
Francis will be in Panama Jan. 23 to 27, and he is expected to visit a detention center Friday for 144 youth who are locked up for serious crimes, including murder. It will be the first time Pope Francis will hear confessions in a prison.
A group of young inmates play guitars during choir practice at the Las Garzas de Pacora detention center, Panama, Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2019. The group rehearsed the World Youth Day hymn at the entrance to the school. One boy played the piano, others strummed guitars and still others formed the chorus, coached by volunteers ahead of a planned performance for the pontiff. (AP Photo/Arnulfo Franco)
A group of inmates plans to sing a hymn to the pope, and many of them say they are excited to ask the holy see for a second chance.
The Holy Father's schedule is jam-packed while he is there, meeting with Panama's president, dedicating the altar of the Cathedral Basilica of Santa Maria la Antigua, and finally, Pope Francis will preside over the closing mass for World Youth Day.
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"You young people have, in the Virgin Mary, a reason for joy and a source of inspiration," Francis said in a video to World Youth Day attendees. "Take advantage of the World Youth Day in Panama to contemplate Christ together with Mary. We will pray the Rosary together for peace, each of us in our own language, and ask for strength to dream and to work for peace."