Vatican City: Pope Leo XIV has announced that the second World Children’s Day will be held in Rome from September 25 to 27 in 2026. The Pope made the announcement during his Wednesday General Audience, where he also blessed and signed a flag featuring the official logo of the event.

A seven year old boy from Gaza, Majd Bernard, presented the flag to the Pope along with Fr Enzo Fortunato, President of the Pontifical Committee for World Children’s Day. The Pope said he looked forward to meeting children from around the world during the special event dedicated to them.

According to the organizing committee, World Children’s Day 2026 will be a time of prayer, meeting, and celebration for children and their families from many countries.

Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Prefect of the Dicastery for Laity, Family, and Life, said the Church wants to give special attention to children and families. He stressed that children must be helped to experience the beauty of peace in their families, in the places they spend time, and in the wider world. He added that children quickly notice conflict and are deeply affected by tension around them.

Cardinal Farrell said he hopes the second World Children’s Day will be an opportunity for the Church to show closeness to children and bring them hope and joy.

The logo for the 2026 edition features seven footprints to represent the seven continents. The committee said the footprints reflect the simple and genuine actions of childhood and show the universal nature of the event. The different colors in the logo highlight cultural diversity and the importance of welcoming differences. The Dome of St Peter’s Basilica in the design symbolizes an embrace of protection for children from all nations, with the cross pointing to the passion and resurrection of Christ.

The first World Children’s Day was held in 2024 and brought together about 100,000 children from 101 countries. The committee said the second edition will renew the Church’s commitment to listening to children and valuing their voices in a world that seeks peace and a hopeful future.