Convivium is not an expressly political magazine in the narrow sense of process, strategizing and marketing that has come to define what we think of as politics. But it most definitely does concern itself with the polis—the city—with that shared space where the common life of citizens is lived out.

Former PMO staffer Garnett Genuis sees Convivium as the chance to disagree engagingly.

Our editor-in-chief looks at leisure, literature, and the PM's painted birthday suit.

Ten years ago, in July 2002, World Youth Day national director Father Tom Rosica and his young staff welcomed the world to Toronto. The guest of honour was no less than Pope John Paul II, who presided over what would be the last World Youth Day of his lifetime. For six days, an estimated 850,000 young Christians from all over the globe sang, prayed and celebrated their faith in public. Looking back on one of the largest outdoor events ever organized in Canada—from which Salt + Light Television was ultimately formed—Father Rosica recalls in a conversation with publisher Peter Stockland the spirit that began to transform a city, a country, the Church. "It moved," he says. "It did move."

Mel Lastman, then Mayor of Toronto, remembers World Youth Day, his encounters with Pope John Paul II, and how a Catholic priest tried to bless the ham—in Hebrew!

In the blackness of a southern Ontario summer storm, Brian Dijkema sees the light of Christ.

Journalist Lorna Dueck looks back at how Toronto's World Youth Day changed her "echo chamber".

For Anne Leahy, Canada's ambassador to the Holy See, World Youth Day 2002 was a true "we event".

Renowned Canadian broadcaster Kevin Newman learned a heartfelt lesson in faith from World Youth Day.

After almost missing World Youth Day 2002, Kris Dmytrenko found within it faith, community, and calling.

Ian Hunter asks his literary friends, The Wrinklings—and Convivium readers—to decide whether King Lear is a Christian play.

Travis D. Smith ponders the introspective essays of Ray Robertson's Why Not? Fifteen Reasons to Live, written following the novelist's period of suicidal depression.

Nazanin Afshin-Jam MacKay's new book, written with Toronto writer Susan McClelland, is the true story of two young women who shared a first name—and an implacable commitment to life.

The most effective evangelization is living what you believe with conviction, says Scott Roy. We make Christ present through work and deed, not by soapbox preaching.

While the streets of Montreal were full of protesters and shattered glass this spring, Kyle Ferguson joined a procession that cut through the heart of the city, boldly proclaiming love, joy, and faithful witness.

Father Raymond J. de Souza finds Quebec students going forward to the past.