Here’s a detailed a timeline for the Holy Father’s visit to Krakow – Jasna Góra (Częstochowa) – Auschwitz: 27-31 July for World Youth Day 2016.
4:00pm
Arrival at John Paul II International Airport Krakow–Balice
Welcoming Ceremony
5:00pm
Arrival at Wawel Royal Castle in Krakow
Meeting with Authorities and Diplomatic Corps
5:40pm
Courtesy visit with the president of the Republic of Poland
6:30pm
Wawel Cathedral – Meeting with Polish Bishops
Silent prayer at the Tomb of St. Stanislaus, where the relics of John Paul II are also displayed, veneration of the Blessed Sacrament in the chapel behind the altar.
Address by the Holy Father
In the evening: Bishop’s Residence in Krakow.
After dinner, the Holy Father will appear in the Papal Window to greet the faithful gathered in the square in front of the Bishop’s Residence in Krakow.
7:40am
Transfer to Balice, along with a stop at the Convent of the Sisters of the Presentation
Sisters from this community, along with some students from the schools they run, will be gathered at the entrance to the Chapel of Saints John the Baptist and John the Apostle.
Silent common prayer
9:45am
Arrival at Jasna Góra Monastery in Częstochowa
Prayer in the Chapel of the Miraculous Image
10:30am
Mass on the occasion of the 1050th anniversary of the baptism of Poland
This Mass is an event of national importance, in the framework of the Jubilee Year of the 1050th anniversary of the baptism of Poland.
The Sanctuary area can accommodate about 300,000 faithful. Bishops and many Polish priests will concelebrate, in the presence of the President of the Republic of Poland and the highest authorities of the country.
5:00pm
Consignment of the keys to Krakow and tram ride to Błonia Park
On the square in front of the Bishop’s Residence, the President of Krakow will consign the keys to the city to the Holy Father. Disabled youth will accompany Pope Francis in the tram to Błonia Park.
5:15pm
Arrival at Błonia Park.
Popemobile ride among the faithful. Approx. 600,000 young people are expected.
5:30pm
Welcoming Ceremony (approx. 1.5 hrs.)
After dinner, the Holy Father will appear in the Papal Window, greeting the faithful gathered in the square.
7:00am
Private Mass in the chapel of the Bishop’s Residence in Krakow
9:30am
Visit to Auschwitz
This year marks the 75th anniversary of the martyrdom of Saint Maximilian Kolbe.
The Holy Father will walk into the concentration camp, passing through the entrance gate on his own. At the entrance to the courtyard of Block 11, the Holy Father will meet individually with 15 camp survivors. Private prayer in the cell of the martyrdom of Father Kolbe.
10:30am
Visit to Birkenau Camp
The Holy Father will travel by car from the main gate of the camp, along the railway line, up to the square in front of the International Monument to the Victims of the Camp, where about 1,000 visitors will be gathered. He will stop for a silent prayer in front of the monument.
Individual meeting with 25 Righteous Among the Nations.
Address by the Holy Father.
4:30pm
Transfer to Kraków-Prokocim.
Visit to University Children’s Hospital
This hospital, one of the most important in Poland, treats approximately 30,000 hospitalized and 200,000 outpatient children each year.
About 50 sick children will be gathered in the lobby with their parents.
Address by the Holy Father.
Private visit to some areas of the hospital’s emergency ward on the ground floor, accompanied by the Director and parents.
Prayer in the hospital chapel.
6:00pm
Way of the Cross with youth in Krakow’s Błonia Park
At the end of the Way of the Cross, the Holy Father will deliver a short address.
After dinner, the Holy Father will appear in the Papal Window, greeting the faithful gathered in the square.
8:30am
Visit to Divine Mercy Sanctuary in Łagiewniki
Chapel of St. Faustina Kowalska. Sisters of the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy will be present, along with the girls in their care. Prayer in the chapel before the tomb of St. Faustina.
8:45am
Transfer by Popemobile to the Divine Mercy Sanctuary.
9:00am
Passage through the Holy Door of Mercy
The Holy Father will enter the Sanctuary through the Holy Door of Mercy.
9:15am
Liturgy of Reconciliation with the participation of youth
The Holy Father will confess five young people in the following languages: Italian, Spanish, and French. Pope Francis is the third pope – after St. John Paul II and Benedict XVI – to visit the Divine Mercy Sanctuary, but the first to confess.
10:30am
Holy Mass in the John Paul II Sanctuary with priests, consecrated persons, and seminarians from Poland.
Around 2 thousand people will be in the Sanctuary: priests, religious, consecrated persons, and seminarians from Poland. 5 thousand will be able to participate in the Mass on the vast square in front of the shrine.
1:00pm
Lunch with Youth
The Holy Father will eat lunch with the Archbishop of Krakow, a translator, and 12 youth representatives from different countries: one boy and one girl from each continent, as well as a boy and a girl from Poland.
7:00pm
Arrival at Campus Misericordiae
Passing through the Door of Mercy with five youth representatives
7:30pm
Prayer Vigil with Youth
8:45am
Arrival at Campus Misericordiae
Blessing of two Caritas buildings: House of Mercy for the poor and elderly, and Bread House – a food pantry for the needy
Passage among the faithful
10:00am Final Mass to mark the end of World Youth Day
The sending out of youth as witnesses of Divine Mercy. Announcement of the location and year of the next World Youth Day.
5:00pm
Arrival at Tauron Arena for a MEETING WITH WYD VOLUNTEERS and the Local Organizing Committee and benefactors
6:15pm
Arrival at Krakow–Balice Airport (military part).
Farewell Ceremony of the Holy Father
