Polish streets come alive in anticipation of Pope Francis' visit for World Youth Day

'I have never seen so many people in Krakow, it's difficult to move around even though offices have closed and many people have left the city.'

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LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - In wake of the horrific slaughter of French priest Jacques Hamel, Catholic pilgrims in KrakĂłw, Poland have congregated to celebrate World Youth Day.

The event, designed for young people by the Catholic Church, was initiated by St. Pope John Paul II in 1985 and is typically celebrated every three years with catechetical sessions, ceremonies, shows, music, prayer, reconciliation opportunities and more.

According to ABC, one attendee, 22-year-old Nounella Blanchedent, commented on the unexpected slaughter of Fr. Hamel:

"It shocked me because it seems they waited for the time of World Youth Day to attack us Catholics. They chose the time of such a mass event to gather more attention to what they do. It's a pity because all that we want is to be together, sing and praise God. And they want to disturb that. It's a disaster."

Thankfully, relics of St. Mary Magdalene were brought from France and will be displayed in a case by the alter throughout the World Youth Day festivities.

Many, such as Blanchedent, believe, "Their presence helps us concentrate on our prayers and brings us closer to God."

While a current of grief runs beneath the otherwise festive atmosphere, blogger Jo-Anne Rowney with the Catholic Herald wrote of "nuns dancing in the street, rapping priests and hordes of people singling their national anthems."

Between excited cries of "Papa" in mixed accents and the sounds of celebration, Rowney described "moments of profound calm" in the wake of Fr. Hamel's loss.

Another moment of calm was before the John Paul II center, where the cassock he wore when he was shot is on display. Pilgrims were seen kneeling before it, some with teary eyes and streams of adoration running down their faces.

Many have reported the extremely conservative views of the Polish Catholic Church but the Pope is the Pope and the people love him - even if they don't agree with everything he has to say.

In fact, many were touched when news of the pontiff's visit to Auschwitz would be honored with silence.

Fr. Fedorico told journalists, "At Auschwitz the Pope won't say anything, but will have a moment of silent pain, of compassion, of tears," leaving many deeply moved.

Pilgrims from around the world have gathered in KrakĂłw to celebrate World Youth Day and to greet the Holy Father, who will address the masses at a prayer service.

Souvenir shop owner Anna Gazda explained: "I have never seen so many people in KrakĂłw, it's difficult to move around even though offices have closed (for the event) and many people have left the city."

Despite rainstorms on the forecast, over 200,000 pilgrims attended an outdoor inaugural Mass Tuesday afternoon and are expected to remain regardless of the weather.

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