World Youth Day Icon

Praying infront of the Theotkos icon at St Johns Melkite Church.

In 2003, Pope John Paul II gave young people a second symbol of faith to be carried in the world, accompanying the WYD Cross - the Icon of Our Lady, 'Salus Populi Romani', a contemporary copy of a sacred and ancient icon housed in the first and greatest basilica to Mary the Mother of God in the West, St Mary Major.

Today I also entrust to you... the Icon of Mary. From now on it will accompany the World Youth Days, together with the Cross. Behold, your Mother! It will be a sign of Mary's motherly presence close to young people who are called, like the Apostle John, to welcome her into their lives. Rome, 18th World Youth Day, 2003