The Tuesday event was a first for Canadians participating in a WYD.
The youth were joined by 22 bishops, 100 priests, and Archbishop Terrence Prendergast of Ottawa, who presided over the celebration.
Archbishop Gérald Cyprien Lacroix of Quebec, and Archbishop Richard Smith, vice president of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, also greeted the participants.
Five Canadian bishops are serving as catechists for the young pilgrims; three in French and two in English.
