In a momentous announcement during Friday's Angelus on the feast of the Immaculate Conception, Pope Francis revealed with immense joy that the inaugural World Day of Children is set to take place in May 2024. Mirroring the spirit of World Youth Day, this significant event will unfold in Rome on the 25th and 26th of May 2024, drawing together thousands of boys and girls from across the globe. The initiative, championed by the Dicastery for Culture and Education, aims to address a crucial question: "What kind of world do we want to leave to the children who are growing up now?" The Pope emphasized a desire to emulate Jesus by placing children at the center of our concerns and ensuring their well-being.

The Dicastery for Culture and Education, which had previously extended its patronage in November during the "Let’s Learn from Boys and Girls" event attended by around 7,500 children worldwide, is backing this landmark occasion. This gathering, characterized by a fusion of music and personal testimonies, is considered a precursor to the grandeur anticipated at the World Day of Children in 2024.

Interestingly, the inspiration for this global celebration came from the unassuming voice of a 9-year-old named Alessandro, who proposed the idea to Pope Francis in July during the Popecast. In response to Alessandro's suggestion, the Pope expressed his enthusiasm, saying, "I like it very much! We can have it organized by the grandparents. A beautiful idea. I will think about it and see how to do it." Thus, the World Day of Children is not only a testament to the Pope's commitment to the younger generation but also a celebration conceived through the innocent perspective of a child.