Official song for World Youth Day 2023 released

WYD 2023 logo

Source: Vatican News

The official theme song for World Youth Day (WYD) 2023, scheduled to take place in Lisbon, Portugal, was released on Wednesday, exactly two years after the announcement of the city chosen by Pope Francis to host the next world meeting for young people.

Titled 'Há Pressa no Ar' (There's a rush in the air'), the song is inspired by the WYD 2023 theme: 'Mary rose up and went with haste' (Lk 1:39). It recalls the 'Yes' of Our Lady and her rush to meet her cousin Elizabeth, who was also pregnant.

The song invites young people to identify with Our Lady, "disposing themselves to serve, to the mission and to the transformation of the world" . The lyrics also evoke the 'party' of WYD and the joy that comes from Jesus.

The theme song was recorded in two versions: one in Portuguese and the other in an international version that includes Portuguese, English, Spanish, French and Italian.

The lyrics were written by FrJoão Paulo Vaz; the music was composed by Pedro Ferreira, a teacher and musician, both from the Diocese of Coimbra in the central region of Portugal. Musical arrangements were made by Carlos Garcia.

'Há Pressa no Ar' was selected through a national contest in Portugal. Participants were required to take their inspiration from the WYD 2023 theme, set by Pope Francis; the aims of WYD, highlighting the theme of evangelization; and Portuguese culture.

More than 100 entries sent in to the Local Organization Committee (LOC) were evaluated by a jury of Arts and Music professionals. The process was completed in 2021 with the participation of young people from all over the country, as well as some participants in the competition who, despite not being selected, were involved in the final recording.

The writers of the theme song insist that the "melody was born before the lyrics." Pedro Ferreira, 41, composed a melody "thought to congregate, to gather a community" in a small room alone by the piano. Alongside some other friends from the "Parish Band," his musical group, Ferreira asked Fr João Paulo Vaz to write the lyrics.

Fr Vaz recalls not changing the melody. With "a guitar in my hands, I started writing, just like I usually do," said the 51-year-old priest. He says the theme helped him develop his own relationship with Our Lady, and the creative process became "a very deep time of praying."

For more information visit the official website of WYD 2023: www.lisboa2023.org/pt/