New Pope 2013: Pope Francis Confirms Continuation of World Youth Day Tradition; Looks Forward to Rio de Janeiro Trip

Pope Francis confirmed on Palm Sunday that he would attend the World Youth Day celebration in Rio de Janeiro in July 2013, continuing the tradition started by Pope John Paul II.

Through his homily and a tweet, the pope said he looks forward to spending time with young people who hold the international version of the World Youth Day every two or three years. The last one presided by now Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI was hosted by Madrid, Spain.

Cardinal Raymundo Damasceno Assis, president of the Brazilian Bishops' Conference, confirmed also that the new pope will be in Brazil for the WYD, which was likewise affirmed by the Archbishop of Rio.

Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff also reiterated the invitation for the new pope to attend the WYD during his March 19 inaugural mass. It is his first confirmed official travel as leader of the 1.2-billion strong Roman Catholic Church, which prompted other South American heads of state to likewise invite the first Latin American pope to visit their countries.

His presiding over the Rio de Janeiro WYD comes at the start of his papacy, similar to what happened in 2005 when Pope John Paul II died just a few months before the WYD in Germany which was continued by Pope Benedict.

The WYD Rio will be from July 23 to 28 in the city also famous for its carnival featuring scantily clad dancers.

About two million youth from different countries are expected to attend the Rio event, almost the same number who attended in Spain and Australia.

The theme for this year's WYD is Go and Make Disciples of All Peoples.

However, the record holder for the WYD in terms of attendance was the one hosted by Manila, Philippines in 1995 when five million turned up. It was presided by the charismatic Pope John Paul II.

In his Palm Sunday homily, the pope - who finally wore red shoes for the first time together with red vestments - encouraged people to be humble and young at heart.