Photo: The World Youth Day symbols were carried in procession in Spain earlier in September 2021.  - Pope Francis' message on Diocesan Youth Day: ‘Arise, bear witness to Jesus with your lives’ - Pope Francis calls on young Christians to courageously bear witness to Jesus Christ, in the footsteps of St. Paul. - The 36th World Youth Day will be celebrated in dioceses around the globe as the Church prepares for the 2023 WYD in Lisbon, Portugal. Pope Francis released his message for the 2021 Diocesan WYD on Monday, under the theme: “Arise. I appoint you as a witness of what you have seen” (Acts 26:16). In the message, the Pope pointed to the important role that young people have to play in the world, especially as they have faced enormous setbacks and difficulties due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Many young people, said the Pope, experienced a rise in family problems, unemployment, depression, loneliness, and addictive behavior. But, he added, the experience of the pandemic has also revealed the virtues of young people, including our “inclination to solidarity.” “Whenever a young person falls, in some sense all humanity falls,” he said. “Yet it is also true that when a young person rises, it is as if the whole world rises as well.” With that in mind, Pope Francis urged young Christians to “arise” and help the world start afresh with their passion and enthusiasm. By Devin Watkins