The WYD Cross is accompanying the reconstruction after the earthquake in central Italy

Pope Francis’ encounter with the earthquake victims in the Italian regions of Marche, Umbria, Lazio and Abruzzo was opened with the Cross of the World Youth Day. Some young earthquake victims brought the WYD Cross from Pope to launch a special pilgrimage of the Cross in the dioceses hit by quake. It will begin on Ash Wednesday, March 1st, and then travel through the dioceses affected by the earthquake, following a program yet to be defined. The first stages should be in Norcia, Amatrice and Ascoli, and the pilgrimage will end on March 25th, in the Basilica of Loreto where, on the same day, the regional vigil for vocations will be celebrated. Then, on Palm Sunday, the Cross will be taken to Panama, the host-country of the 2019 World Youth Day.