104th German Catholic Day Würzburg

Katholikentag Würzburg 2026 — The Return of a Major Gathering After 119 Years

The German Catholic Day is one of the oldest and largest lay gatherings of organized Catholicism in Europe. Since 1848, the Central Committee of German Catholics (ZdK) has convened believers, theologians, politicians, and societal actors every two years for about five days in a different host city. In 2026, Würzburg was the host — the first time the event was held in the Franconian episcopal city since 1907.

Würzburg in the Würzburg District — A Diocese Capital with Character

Würzburg, with around 130,000 inhabitants, is the central city of Lower Franconia and the seat of the Diocese of Würzburg. It belongs to the state of Bavaria and is the capital of the independent city district of the same name. With the Residence (UNESCO World Heritage Site), St. Kilian's Cathedral, and Marienberg Fortress, the city offers the backdrop required for a major event like the Katholikentag. The diocesan patron saint, St. Kilian, plays a central role in the local identity — embedding the 104th Katholikentag within a broader regional narrative.

Motto and Format

The motto "Have courage, stand up!" was intended as a call for courageous civic engagement — religiously, politically, and socially. Over 700 individual events were spread across about a hundred locations throughout the city center: services, large and small panels, workshops, concerts, exhibitions, theater, an "Evening of Encounter," the "Diocese Stage," and a "Democracy Church.".

Prominent Participants

As with every Katholikentag, political and church leaders shaped the program:

• Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier — Opening on May 13
• Chancellor Friedrich Merz — Panel discussion
• Bavarian Minister-President Markus Söder — Appearance with a state-political focus
• Cardinal Mario Grech — Delivering the papal greetings at the closing ceremony
• Bodo Wartke — Concert on Residenzplatz

Logistics and Sponsorship

The ZdK is the organizer, with the local office being the Diocese of Würzburg, headed by Dominik Großmann and Cathedral Chapter member Albin Krämer as the Bishop's Representative. 1,200 volunteers ensured the smooth running of the event. The next, 105th Katholikentag, is scheduled for May 24-28, 2028, in Paderborn.