World Youth Day 2013, the 14th international Catholic event that focuses on religious faith and the youth, has finally come to an end in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The spiritual event, which happened to be Pope Francis' first ever assembly attended outside of Rome, gathered a total of three million believers.

In his first international trip since his installation in March 2013, the Brazil trip finally imprinted Pope Francis' papacy, wherein he continued to exhibit his shoot-from-the-hip demeanor people initially thought was reserved for the Vatican and Rome. In Rio, the pope ditched using the popemobile amid concerns of security risks. He continued to show the same affection, hugging people and blessing them, all within just his reach.

And because of this, attendees and believers of the faith prepared a rousing flash mob number, now dubbed as one of the world's largest one. The song, titled 'Francis,' was performed before celebrating Sunday's closing Mass.

At the close of World Youth Day 2013, Pope Francis, who celebrated final mass at Copacabana Beach, told the pilgrims that he "carries each one of them in his heart."

"You have met Jesus with others. But you shouldn't lock this experience and encounter away for this is like withholding oxygen from a flame. You should pass on the flame of faith. However Jesus did not say this was an option but simply "Go and make disciples of all nations." This is the command that the Lord entrusts to the whole Church and that includes you," Pope Francis told the attendees mostly comprised of the youth aged 16-35 years old.

"Keep Christ at the centre of your lives."

He also told the youth not to be "part-time Christians" and not "to stand on the sidelines."

Be "athletes of Christ," the 266th successor of St Peter's throne said.

As with tradition, it is during the final Mass that the pope announces where the next World Youth Day festivities will be held. In the case of the year 2016, it will be in Krakow, Poland.

"Dear young friends, we have an appointment for the next World Youth Day in 2016 in Krakow, Poland," Pope Francis announced on Sunday, July 28, at the end of a mass attended on Rio's Copacabana beach.

Krakow was chosen in honor of John Paul II, who started the WYD events during his papacy. Predecessor to Benedict XVI, John Paul II hailed from Krakow.

"We express our gratitude to the Holy Father Pope Francis for this decision," Cardinal Stanislaw Dziwisz, archbishop metropolitan of Krakow, said in a statement. "We look forward to your coming and to the arrival of so many of our young friends, with great anticipation and joy."

On his last day on Brazilian soil, Pope Francis was scheduled to meet with the 15,000 volunteers who worked earnestly to make the WYD 2013 a success. As he boarded a helicopter, Pope Francis made the sign of the Cross before taking off. A few moments later, he was seen drawing the outline of a heart on the helicopter's window as he bid the crowds farewell.

Click on the slideshow for more of the WYD 2013 highlights.

Poland