World Children's Day

Rome, May 25th-26th 2024

Rome, September 2026

Sunday with the children in prayer at Gemelli

Sunday, 16 of March 2025, with the children of the Pontifical Committee for the World Day of Children in prayer at the Policlinico Gemelli

"I thank you all for your prayers, and I thank those who assist me with such dedication. I know that many children are praying for me; some of them came here today to “Gemelli” as a sign of closeness. Thank you, dearest children! The Pope loves you and is always waiting to meet you."

We thank the Holy Father who wished to greet all the children in the written text of the Angelus on Sunday 16 March. So many children came with their parents and associations from the Schools of Peace of the Community of Sant'Egidio to the children of the Catholic schools of Fidae, from the “Castorini” association of the scouts to the children's association of the Italian Buddhists, the little ones of the Auxilium cooperative, some family homes of the Bambino Gesù of Rome, as well as delegations from Unicef and Order of Smile.

After the Angelus prayer, a group of children brought a bouquet of white roses to the Gemelli chapel.

Pope Francis, we love you!

Thousands of drawings, letters and prayers are arriving from children all over the world, a sign that surprised us but was, after all, to be expected.

Thousands of drawings, letters and prayers are arriving from children all over the world, a sign that surprised us but was, after all, to be expected. Indeed, children have always been in the heart of Pope Francis, a love that has found expression in numerous gestures and initiatives in recent years.

Pope Francis, we love you!

An apostolic exhortation dedicated to children

“A new text dedicated to children, either a letter or an exhortation.”

This is what Pope Francis announced yesterday on the sidelines of the world summit entitled “Let's Love and Protect Them,” organized by the Pontifical Committee for World Children's Day.

A new text dedicated to children, a letter or an exhortation – World Leaders Summit on Children’s Right

World Leaders Summit on Children's Rights

Love and Protect Them

The Pontifical Committee is already embarking on intensive work to promote the protection of the fundamental rights of children, a significant expression of which is the upcoming “World Leaders Summit on Children's Rights,” the Summit of Heads of State, Global Leaders, Nobel Laureates chaired by Pope Francis, to be held at the Holy See on Feb. 2 and 3.

World Leaders Summit on Children’s Rights

WCD 2026

World Children's Day will take place again in Rome in 2026.

The Holy Father's announcement at the end of the event on May 25th in St. Peter's Square.

SEE THE VIDEO

Francis to children: "The Holy Spirit accompanies us in life"

Fifty thousand faithful were present in St. Peter's Square for the Mass for the World Day dedicated to the little ones. On the day in which the Church remembers the Holy Trinity, Francis dialogues with them, remembering the love of the Father and "Jesus who forgives everything and always". Together with them he recites the Hail Mary, asks to pray for peace and announces the next Word Children's Day for September 2026.

READ THE ARTICLE

THE ORGANIZATION

Dicastery of Culture and Education

The Dicastery for Culture and Education works for the development of people’s human values in the context of Christian anthropology, contributing to the full realization of Christian discipleship.

Read the letter

The event

The event program

On May 25th, the event will kick off at the Olympic Stadium with the greeting of foreign delegations, continuing with guests of national and international fame presented by Carlo Conti, leading up to the most anticipated moment: the dialogue of boys and girls with the Holy Father.

On May 26th, the event will move to St. Peter's Square for the introduction to the Eucharistic celebration and the celebration itself, presided over by the Holy Father, and will culminate with the Angelus and the Pope's greeting to children from around the world.

Discover the program

Mobile app

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WHERE

The locations of Rome where the event will take place

The first World Children's Day will take place between two symbolic places of the city of Rome: St. Peter's Square and the Olympic Stadium.

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Register in the event

Fill out the form to register or complete the pre-registration for the event.

Accreditation of journalists and media operators

Journalists and media operators who intend to participate in the meetings on 25 and 26 May must send a request, within 24 hours of the event, through the online accreditation system of the Holy See Press Office.

ACCREDITATION

Proposed by children

The children's drawings

Prepare for the event, share your desires and hopes for a better world, awaiting the meeting with Pope Francis.

SUBMIT YOUR DRAWING

Support the initiative with a donation

Every small or large contribution is important!
You can support the event with a donation via bank transfer, made out to:

Be Human Association
IBAN: IT90G0501803200000020000319
BIC/SWIFT: ETICIT22XXX
c/o Banca Popolare Etica Società Cooperativa per Azioni
Reason for payment: GMB24 Donation