World Youth Day event schedule is preliminary and subject to change per developments from WYD Council.

Day 2 Fri Aug 12: ROME. Upon arrival in Rome, we enjoy a panoramic tour to view the classical and modern squares of the city. In the afternoon, meet our local guide for a tour including the Coliseum, St. Peter in chains, Appian Way, Palatine Hill, the Roman Forum, Arch of Constantine, and Circus Maximus. Dinner and overnight at our hotel.

Day 3 Sat Aug 13: ROME - ASSISI. This morning, we drive to Assisi to visit the Tomb of St. Francis and the Portiuncula where the great Franciscan family has its origins. Celebrate Mass here. We also see the relics of St. Clare. Returning to Rome for dinner and overnight.

Day 4 Sun Aug 14: ROME.  After breakfast, we visit the Vatican City which includes the Museum, the Sistine Chapel, St. Peter's Square and Church of St. Peter. In the afternoon, we visit more highlights of Rome including City Hall and the Trevi Fountain.

Day 5 Mon Aug 15: ROME. Early this morning, we may attend an Audience with our Holy Father if available. Then, we visit three more of the basilicas. First, we visit St. Mary Major Basilica. (Celebrate Mass if the Pope isn't available) Then, we visit St. John Lateran and St. Paul Outside the Walls. Time in the afternoon at leisure. Return to our hotel for dinner and overnight.

Day 6 Tue Aug 16: ROME - MADRID - WYD. Today, we fly to Madrid and have a panoramic tour of the city and its squares. About 5:30 pm, we celebrate Mass in Madrid's Cibeles Square, presided over by the archbishop of Madrid and concelebrated by the bishops and priests participating in WYD. About 9:00 pm, we have the first activities of the Youth Festival—WYD Cultural Program begins, which include concerts, exhibitions, displays, guided visits to Museums, plays, etc. (details to be determined.)

Day 7 Wed, Aug 17: WYD. Today, we have catechesis session, organized by linguistic groups, with bishops from all over the world. These sessions take place in churches, schools, auditoriums and sports centers of Madrid. This evening, we participate in the Youth Festival—WYD Cultural Program.

Day 8 Thu, Aug 18: WYD. Catechesis session during the day. About 5:00 pm, we receive and welcome the Holy Father in Cibeles Square. WYD Cultural Program in the evening around 9:00 pm.

Day 9 Fri, Aug 19: WYD. Catechesis session during the day. Youth Festival—WYD Cultural Program at 5:00 pm. At about 9:00 pm, we participate in WYD Via Crucis. Fourteen "pasos" of the Spanish Holy Week, from different points of the peninsula, go out in procession through the streets of Madrid around Cibeles Square.

Day 10 Sat, Aug 20: WYD. Preparatory ceremony at Cuatro Vientos (Four Winds) aerodrome 4:00 pm: Pilgrims arrive, little by little, and take their places. Meanwhile, different activities take place on the stage (testimonies of young people, musical interpretations, prayers to the Virgin, etc.) to prepare for the Vigil. At about 8:00 pm, the Pope arrives and Eucharistic adoration begins. Planned is an address by the Holy Father. We then spend the night at Cuatro Vientos aerodrome. For those who so wish, there will be several tents where we can adore the Most Blessed Sacrament.

Day 11 Sun, Aug 21: WYD. This morning, the Pope celebrates Mass with thousands of bishops and priests and he will address young people, and those who are not so young, to send them out to the world to witness to their faith as the Lord did with his Apostles. At the end of the concluding Mass, the Holy Father will announce where World Youth Day 2014 will be held. The remainder of the day is at leisure for pursuits on our own.

Day 12 Mon, Aug 22: MADRID - USA. Transfer to the airport for our flight home—the end of our Pilgrimage to Spain and World Youth Day 2011.