Vatican City: A key Vatican body dedicated to the global celebration of childhood is changing hands. By decision of Pope Leo XIV, the Pontifical Committee for the World Day of Children established in 2024 by Pope Francis will now operate under the Dicastery for Laity, Family, and Life.
The move, formalized in a papal rescript dated August 9 and made public on Wednesday, follows a meeting between the Pope and Archbishop Edgar Peña Parra, Substitute of the Secretariat of State. The decree instructs both the Committee and the Dicastery to coordinate the transition process.
Pope Francis founded the Pontifical Committee via chirograph on November 20, 2024, entrusting it with the mission of animating and organizing the World Day of Children—a faith-filled international gathering modeled after World Youth Day. The first edition, held May 25, 2024, at Rome’s Olympic Stadium, drew over 50,000 young participants, many from war-torn regions, for a day of prayer, music, and testimonies in the presence of the Pope.
The Committee’s work extends beyond hosting the annual celebration. It collaborates with bishops’ conferences, dioceses, and regional organizers to ensure that pastoral care for children remains a living priority in the Church. Earlier this year, it hosted the Vatican conference “Love Them and Protect Them”, where Pope Francis joined leaders, diplomats, and experts to address the global exploitation of minors.
The Dicastery for Laity, Family, and Life headed by Cardinal Kevin Joseph Farrell will now oversee the World Day of Children alongside other major events such as World Youth Day. The Dicastery’s mandate already covers the pastoral care of families and the laity, making it a natural home for initiatives focused on children’s spiritual and social wellbeing.
Vatican officials say the transition reflects a broader goal: embedding the World Day of Children into the Church’s long-term pastoral strategy, ensuring that it inspires communities year-round, not just on one day.