World Youth Day 2016 begins! Find the event's FULL SCHEDULE here

The 31st World Youth Day begins today, July 26, in Krakow, Poland. Although Pope Francis is not expected to arrive until tomorrow, the events are already underway, with a welcome to the pilgrims and later an opening mass.

span style="text-decoration: underline;">Here is the full schedule of events expected to take place during WYD:

Tuesday, July 26

Official welcome for pilgrims

Opening Mass presided over by Cardinal Stanislaw Dziwisz in Blonia Park (5:30pm Polish time)

Wednesday, July 27

Arrival of Pope Francis (John Paul II International Airport, 4pm)

Welcome Ceremony for Pope Francis (Wawel Royal Castle, Krakow, 5pm)

Pope Francis' meeting with President of Poland (5:40pm)

Pope Francis' meeting with Polish bishops (Wawel Cathedral, 6:30pm)

Silent prayer at the Tomb of St Stanislaus (following meeting with bishops)

Veneration of the Blessed Sacrament in the chapel behind the altar and an address by the Pope (following the prayer)

Appearance at Papal Window in the Bishops' Residence in Krajow to greet those gathered in the square (after dinner)

Thursday, July 28

Pope Francis to travel to Balice, stopping at the Convent of the sisters of the Presentation (7:40am)

Arrival at Jasna Gora Monastery in Czestochowa (9:45am)

Mass on the occasion of the 1050th anniversary of the baptism of Poland (10:30am)

Consignment of the keys to Krakow to the Pope at the Bishops' Residence, followed by tram ride to Błonia Park (5pm)

Arrival at Błonia Park (5:15pm)

WYD Welcome Ceremony (5:30pm)

Appearance at Papal Window in the Bishops' Residence in Krajow to greet those gathered in the square (after dinner)

Friday, 29 July 2016

Pope's visit to Auschwitz (9:30am)

Pope's visit to Birkenau (10:30am)

Pope transfers from Krakow-Prokocim (4:30pm), where he will visit University Children's Hospital

Stations of the Cross with youth in Krakow's Blonia Park (6pm)

Appearance at Papal Window in the Bishops' Residence in Krajow to greet those gathered in the square (after dinner)

Saturday, July 30 2016

Pope's visit to Chapel of St Faustina Kowalska (8:30am)

Transfer by Popemobile to the Divine Mercy sanctuary (8:45am)

Pope's passage through the Holy Door of Mercy (9am)

Liturgy of reconciliation with the participation of youth with the Holy Father hearing the confessions of five young people (9:15am)

Holy Mass in the John Paul II Sanctuary with priests, consecrated persons and seminarians from Poland (10:30am)

Pope's lunch with Archbishop of Krakow and 12 young people (1pm)

Pope's arrival at Campus Misericordiae and passing through the Door of Mercy with five youth representatives (7pm)

Prayer vigil with the pope and youth (7:30pm)

Sunday, July 31

Pope's arrival at Campus Misericordiae, the blessing of two Caritas buildings and a passage among the faithful (8:45am)

Closing Mass, including the sending out of youth as witnesses of Divine Mercy and the announcement of the location and year of the next World Youth Day. (10am)

Supporting FREE Catholic Education with Grass-fed Beef

Pope Francis arrives at Tauron Arena for meeting with WYD volunteers (5pm)

Pope arrives at Krakow-Balice Airport for farewell ceremony (6:15pm)

Other WYD 2016 events

Catechesis will be preached in different languages across Krakow on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday

Youth Festival will take place on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, except during main WYD events.

Vocations Centre is open on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday for religious congregations, Catholic schools and universities, religious publishing houses and missionary organizations to present their work.