wyd was established in 1986, and it is organized the by catholic church. the 2013 event celebrated youth, with pope john ii, and saint teresa of calcutta, who were selected as the patron saints of the gathering.

the first wyd followed the inaugural 1985 'international youth year', founded by the united nations after the international jubilee for the young was celebrated in st. peter's square. this celebration also commemorated the end of the holy year of redemption, when the holy father entrusted youth with the wyd cross, one of the most significant symbols of wyd.