The Maltese who attended this year's World Youth Day in Poland are still in awe at the wonderful experience they lived in the last couple of days.

As they landed this afternoon, carrying a backpack and a Maltese flag, those youths who spoke to The Malta Independent recall the beautiful experience of seeing thousands of people unite in one religion. "It's beautiful to see thousands of people from all over the globe, united by Christianity. It was an experience I will never forget."

Another one encouraged all those who are slightly inclined to go, to stop thinking and "just do it." This year's World Youth Day was celebrated in Poland. It attracted more than 1.6 million people.

Hundreds of people, mostly parents, gathered to welcome the enthusiastic youths.

More than 130 Maltese youths attended the event which is held every three years. Last World Youth Day was held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. This year's event also had its comical moment when Pope Francis fell in front of thousands of people attending a celebration. Although small, the tumble shocked many as Pope Francis was captured in hundreds of photos trying to keep his balance.

At the end of the week-long event, Pope Francis encouraged hundreds of thousands of young people gathered in southern Poland to "believe in a new humanity," which is stronger than evil and refuses to use borders as barriers.

The World Youth Day events, held every three years in a different country, took place amid very high security following a string of extremist attacks in Western Europe. No incidents were reported, according to police.

Later, Francis announced that the next World Youth Day will take place in Panama in 2019.