SOUTH KOREA Seoul paves the way for WYD 2027

The local community officially began preparations in Myeongdong Cathedral for the event that will see young people from all over the world converge on South Korea in three years’ time for a meeting with the Pope. Among the 900 people present were also young exiles from Pyongyang. Archbishop Peter Chung Soon-taek: “The Church wants a place for young people where they can be protagonists and also guide society.” The theme chosen by Francis in September.

Rome (/Agencies) – On Sunday 28 July, the Archdiocese of Seoul officially launched the local path towards the 42nd World Youth Day, which it will host in 2027 – the second in Asia after Manila in 1995. The launching ceremony took place a year after the closing Mass of WYD in Lisbon, where on 6 August 2023 Pope Francis announced from Tagus Park, in front of more than one and a half million young people, that South Korea would host the next meeting of young Catholics conceived in 1986 by Pope John Paul II. The heart of the day was the celebration in the cathedral of Myeongdong, jointly organised by the Vatican Dicastery for the Laity, Family and Life (DLFL), the Regional Organising Committee of WYD in Seoul and the Apostolic Nunciature in Korea.

With the theme “Hope Begins in Seoul,” the event was a symbol of unity and optimism for the future, laying the groundwork for the planning and preparation work that will unfold over the next three years. The opening procession with flags representing 194 countries was followed by a symbolic “puzzle” ceremony and a speech by Archbishop Peter Chung Soon-taek, who, flanked by youth representatives, made an official statement launching the initiative. Also present were Vice Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Yong Ho-sung and Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon.

“The Church wants to prepare a stage for young people, a place for young people to become the protagonists of this time,” said Archbishop Chung. “I want to dream of a future of hope with you through the World Youth Day in Seoul.” Speaking of South Korea, he added: “In just one century, our country has become a democracy. We have made remarkable progress in culture, but if we look at the life of young people, the current reality is not easy at all.” From this awareness at yesterday’s event arose the firm hope that the preparatory trip would be an opportunity for the young participants to give direction to today’s society, sending a message to all their peers. “We want to experience the miracle of the change of a person and of our community through our preparation and the World Youth Day in Seoul. I ask you, young people, to participate actively as miracle workers,” added the archbishop.

Another highlight of yesterday’s celebration – attended by more than 900 young people from various backgrounds, including the disabled, North Korean defectors and servicemen from the Army, Navy and Air Force – was the presentation of the economic impact of the major event, which will attract nearly one million young people from around the world. According to the study “2027 World Youth Day Economic Value Evaluation and Business Development Study”, commissioned by the Organizing Committee by the KDI School of Public Policy and Management in Sejong, the economic impact of the upcoming World Youth Day in Seoul is estimated at more than 11.3 trillion won (more than 7.5 billion euros, ed.).

Meanwhile, in the lead-up to WYD 2027, the next event is scheduled for September, when Pope Francis will announce the Scripture passage that will inspire the official theme and logo. This will be followed, in November, by the handing over of the WYD symbols, the wooden cross and torch, to representatives in Seoul.