WYD Cross and Icon to inspire at the Australian Catholic Youth Festival

In a special celebration of faith and unity, the official World Youth Day Cross and Icon will arrive in Melbourne as a highlight of the 2025 Australian Catholic Youth Festival (ACYF). Their return to Melbourne for ACYF will mark only the second time they’ve travelled to Australia, following their visit ahead of World Youth Day 2008.

Originally gifted by St John Paul II to young people of the world in 1984, the World Youth Day Cross has travelled the globe, uniting millions of young Catholics in prayer and reflection over the past 40 years. Since 2003, the cross has been accompanied by the icon of Our Lady Salus Populi Romani, also gifted by Pope John Paul II as a symbol of Mary’s presence among young people.

Following a special agreement with the World Youth Day Seoul 2027 organisers, the cross and icon will journey to Melbourne and be present throughout the Australian Catholic Youth Festival, set to take place from 30 November to 2 December.

Established by the Australian bishops, the festival is a national event that offers young people the opportunity to come together in fellowship, strengthen their relationship with Jesus and be inspired to live out their faith in everyday life. Thousands of young people from across Australia and Oceania are expected to attend the 2025 festival.

One of the most anticipated highlights of the festival is the pilgrimage walk on Sunday 30 November, which will see thousands of pilgrims journey from Melbourne’s St Patrick’s Cathedral to the festival venue, the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.

The cross and icon will lead this powerful procession, symbolising a unified pilgrimage toward Christ and encouraging young pilgrims to embrace their calling as disciples in the world.

Known affectionately as the “Pilgrim Cross”, the simple wooden cross stands at nearly four metres tall, and has been seen as a sign of hope in the places it has visited. In 1985, at the time when Europe was divided by the iron curtain, it was taken to Prague to represent communion with the Pope. Following the September 11 attacks in 2001, the cross was taken to Ground Zero in New York, where almost 3,000 lives had been lost. And in 2006, it was taken to Rwanda, a country plagued by civil war.

Together with the icon of Mary—a copy of the ancient Marian image housed in Rome—the two symbols are profound reminders of God’s eternal presence and love.

Festival Director Teresa Rhynehart expressed her excitement at welcoming the cross and icon to the fifth Australian Catholic Youth Festival.

‘Welcoming the World Youth Day Cross and Icon to Melbourne for ACYF 2025 is a profound moment for the youth of our nation. It will be an inspiring reminder that we are part of something much larger—the universal Church journeying together in faith,’ she said.

With its theme, “Pilgrims of Hope”, the festival will provide participants with a powerful encounter of Christ through prayer, music, workshops and dynamic speakers. Festival organisers believe the inclusion of the Cross and Icon will significantly enhance the festival and enrich the experience of thousands of young pilgrims.