It is well known that Pope Francis and the bishops of Europe’s most Catholic nation – at least by numbers – have not always been singing from the same hymn book. Nevertheless the welcome that Polish Catholics extended to the Pope was remarkably warm. Some uncountable number of young people, certainly in the millions and the majority of whom were Poles, flocked to his public appearances and took him to their hearts. This was World Youth Day, and attention was as much on them as on him. The experience of celebrating together in the friendship of a shared faith, across national boundaries, works its special magic on such occasions, and few who attend them quickly forget it. Sometimes the experience is life-changing. The Catholic Church talks a lot about joy, often rather unjoyously. Rarely is it so manifest as on World Youth Day.