World Youth Day Apps

Looking for apps designed specifically for participants and interested folks in World Youth Day in Rio de Janeiro (July 23-28, 2013)? You will be disappointed if you do not speak Portuguese. We located just two apps: they are offered solely in Portuguese and solely in iOS format. They are both free. Given that the WORLD Youth Day is for those speaking a variety of languages, you would think someone would develop an app for a wider audience beyond Portuguese-speaking.

The first app built for this event is iJuventude. From its developers: “Pilgrims can already take part in the history of the coming World Youth Day, by using the app to learn about the Cross and the Icon of Our Lady, as well as different songs, photos, and videos with direct access to the event’s social networks.”

The other app is “Siga a Cruz”, or “Follow the Cross.” It is an official WYD Rio 2013 tool that  allows smartphone and tablet users to follow the journey of the WYD symbols (the Pilgrim Cross and the Icon of Our Lady) throughout Brazil.

It is presumed that anyone can follow maps and listen to the music provided. So, they are of some limited use to the non-Portuguese-speaking world.

Our Recommendation

If you want to access any of Pope Francis’ addresses, we recommend PopeApp which posts the texts and photos and live web-streaming video of appearances of the Holy Father. It is free and available in iOS and Android formats. So, if you’re at WYD and have internet access and you can’t see the Pope from where you’re located in the crowd, you can watch video of the Holy Father right on you mobile device.