Register - June 2026 World Apostolic Congress on Mercy with Speakers Cardinal Rys, Fr. Chris Alar, Fr. Mallon, + More - in Vilnius Home of the Divine Mercy Image
The World Apostolic Congress on Mercy 2026 will take place in Vilnius. This international event of the Catholic Church is intended for people from all over the world. The Congress is organised every three years, each time in a different country. The Sixth World Congress will welcome participants and delegations from across the globe.
Dates: Vilnius, 7–12 June 2026
Location: Saviour Hill, Rasų g. 6, Vilnius, Lithuania
The motto for the World Apostolic Congress on Mercy 2026,
“Building the City of Mercy”, presents itself not only as an opportunity
to reflect on the theme of mercy and to experience once again in our own
lives how merciful God is toward each one of us, but also as a call to renew our
commitment and dedication to building a city that is ever more credible.
While urban life can be for many a unique opportunity to open themselves
to new perspectives, to fraternal sharing, and to the fulfillment of their lives,
it not infrequently becomes, paradoxically, the place of the greatest loneliness,
disillusionment, and mistrust, as well as a space in which different social groups
end up living side by side, ignoring or even despising one another.
This is therefore an opportunity to offer communal contexts of faith in which,
by overcoming anonymity, the value of each person is recognized and to all
is offered the balm of an Easter faith to soothe wounds; contexts which,
by enabling an experience of genuine fraternal closeness, reveal the motherhood
of the Church and provide a concrete witness of mercy and tenderness,
generating direction and meaning for the very life of the city.
“Let us once again experience in our lives how merciful God is toward each of us, and let us renew our commitment to building cities that are, more than ever, places of mercy. See you in Vilnius!” Archbishop Rino Fisichella, Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization
Programme includes:
• Conferences, workshops and testimonies from participants;
• Holy Masses, penitential services with the Sacrament of Reconciliation, prayer and praise gatherings;
• Pilgrimages and thematic excursions in Vilnius;
• Charitable initiatives (works of mercy) in the city.
• Youth festival on June 6 Vilnius – the City of Divine Mercy
In this city, through Saint Faustina Kowalska and with the help of Fr. Michael Sopocko, the message of Divine Mercy was newly proclaimed to the world. During the interwar period, the artist Eugeniusz Kazimirowski, who lived in Vilnius, painted the first image of the Merciful Jesus, following the visions of Saint Faustina. Today this image is known throughout the world. The original painting is housed and venerated at the Shrine of Divine Mercy in Vilnius. It was also in Vilnius that Jesus dictated the prayer of the Chaplet of Divine Mercy to Saint Faustina.
Registration Advance registration is required via the official website: www.wacomvilnius.org Participation is subject to a fee, which is allocated to organisational costs.
SPEAKERS -
Cardinal Grzegorz Ryś
The voice of dialogue
in the Church in Europe.
Born in 1964 in Kraków, Poland, he was
created a cardinal in 2023, and in 2025
led the renewal of the European Ecumenical Charter. A historian and theologian who has researched medieval
spirituality, he now helps to shape a
“Church without walls”.
Nicky Gumbel
Through his simple words,
millions have discovered faith.
A former barrister, Anglican priest and
creator of the Alpha course, now present in more than 100 countries. He also
developed the Bible in One Year programme, used by millions worldwide.
Fr. Chris Alar, MIC
A preacher of Divine
Mercy to millions.
Provincial of the Marian Fathers of the
Immaculate Conception in the United States, author of After Suicide and
Understanding Divine Mercy. His message reaches the world through EWTN
television and live events.
Fr. James Mallon
The initiator of a revolution
in parish renewal.
Born in Glasgow and ministering in
Canada, he is the author of Divine
Renovation. His vision has sparked a
global movement calling the Church to
become missionary and alive.
Fr. Patrice Chocholski
A bridge of dialogue and mercy in
the Mediterranean region.
A French theologian, Director of the Institut Catholique de la Méditerranée in
Marseille, and former Secretary General of the World Apostolic Congresses on Mercy, as well as Rector of the
Shrine of Saint Jean Marie Vianney in
Ars.
Matt Fradd
One of the most influential Catholic
voices online today.
Creator of the popular podcast Pints
with Aquinas, speaking on faith, philosophy and human dignity. A Master of Philosophy, reaching millions
through his podcast and talks around
the world.
Kevin Hyland
A global leader in the fight against
human trafficking, advocating for the
most vulnerable.
An Officer of the Order of the British
Empire (OBE) and one of the world’s
leading voices on combating human
trafficking, Kevin Hyland was the first
independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner for the United Kingdom and is
now Strategic Director of the Santa
Marta Group, which brings together
law enforcement, the Church and civil
society to combat exploitation.
The Kissell Family - (Carson Kissell and his
family)
A family witnessing hope in everyday life through the strength of God’s
mercy.
A family from Ohio, USA, raising three
boys, two of whom live with a rare genetic condition. Carson Kissell prays
the Chaplet of Divine Mercy live every
day on his Facebook page Praying with
Carson, inspiring people through his
testimony of faith and hope.
“God is the architect of the City of Mercy, and we are His co-workers. I invite everyone to come to Vilnius, to experience God’s mercy and to become its witnesses.” Gintaras Grušas, Archbishop of Vilnius
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