A contingent of young Catholics are preparing to undertake a pilgrimage next year to hear Pope Francis share a message of mercy at World Youth Day 2016 in Krakow, Poland.
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There are still many months to go, but levels of excitement were palpable as close to 100 people gathered for an address by Archbishop Christopher Prowse and Polish Ambassador Pawel Milewksi at a launch on Saturday.
Archbishop Prowse spoke about the need for mercy in Australian society and his concern for youth suicide, drug abuse and a pervasive sense of hopelessness.
He said mercy and forgiveness enabled us "to walk forward in far better ways than we have in the past."
"The church is going through tremendous troubles here in Australia with the Royal Commission and all sorts of issues. We are not a community of the perfect. We are clearly in sinful church in need of God's merciful forgiveness."
He said the large turn out demonstrated the Catholic Church had a healthy future in the region.
"There are a lot young people here today," he said.
"It is very counter-cultural this meeting this morning. Given the fact that everyone thinks people think religion has had its day and is passé. That's not the case."
Pilgrims will follow in the footsteps of the late Pope John Paul II visiting his birthplace in Wadowice and sites including the Shine of the Devine Mercy in Krakow, the Black Madonna in Częstochowa and Auschwitz where Polish priest Maximilian Kolbe died as prisoner.
Polish Ambassador to Australia Pawel Milewksi said four million Catholics from across the world were expected in Krakow for the 13th international event.
"It will be absolutely with no doubt a very spiritual religious event," he said. "But what we would like to do with respect to the promotion of Poland is to let people discover our history, culture and hospitality."
Youth coordinator Stuart West will help to select and lead the group of 40-50 people aged between 18-35 for the pilgrimage.
"The key things we are looking for is that each young person understands the difference between a pilgrimage and a holiday," he said.
"This will be a journey of faith."
The 27-year-old took part in World Youth Day in Sydney in 2008 but said next year would be his first international pilgrimage.
"In my work with the Canberra and Goulburn Archdiocese I see that we are a big and varied church," he said.
"An international pilgrimage is a chance to connect with a global church. I hope to have lots of conversations and find out how other people live their faith and what is important to them."
