From an organization directly under the Pope’s authority, the Pontifical Committee for World Children’s Day–established last year by Pope Francis to organize and coordinate the so-called “WCDs”–has now been placed within the Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life. This decision was made by Pope Leo XIV following an audience granted to the Substitute of the Secretariat of State, Archbishop Edgar Peña Parra, on August 6, and was made public in a Rescript.
In the document–released today but dated Saturday, August 9–it is specified that: “This Superior Provision is to be communicated to the two Institutions concerned so they may carry out the transition process.” The new Vatican body was officially announced in a chirograph, a papal handwritten decree, in which Pope Francis entrusted it with the task of overseeing the ecclesial engagement and pastoral organization of the annual event.
It was Pope Francis, on November 20, 2024, who established—via a chirograph—the Pontifical Committee for World Children’s Day, giving it the mission of overseeing “the ecclesial animation and pastoral organization of World Children’s Day.” This event, inspired by the World Youth Days (WYD), is aimed at bringing together minors from around the globe for a gathering of faith, music, and testimonies. The first edition took place on May 25, 2024, at the Olympic Stadium in Rome, in the presence of Pope Francis, and saw participation from over 50,000 children and adolescents, including many from conflict zones.
