Seoul launches journey towards WYD2027

Gathered the Myeongdong Cathedral, the local community officially began the preparation for the event that in three years will see young people from all over the world converge on South Korea for the meeting with the Pope. Among the 900 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 in giving direction to society as well’. In September, the theme chosen by Francis.

Rome (AsiaNews/Agencies) - On Sunday 28 July, the Archdiocese of Seoul officially began the local journey towards the 42nd World Youth Day that it will host in 2027 - the second in Asia after Manila 1995.

The launch event came about a year after the closing Mass of the WYD in Lisbon, where on 6 August 2023 Pope Francis announced from Tejo Park, in front of over one and a half million young people, that South Korea would host the next gathering of young Catholics conceived in 1986 by Pope John Paul II.

The heart of the day was a celebration at the Myeongdong Cathedral, jointly organized by the Vatican Dicastery for the Laity, Family and Life (DLFL), the Regional Organizing Committee of the WYD of Seoul and the Apostolic Nunciature in Korea.

With the theme “Hope Begins in Seoul,” the event served as a symbol of unity and optimism for the future, laying the foundation for the planning and preparation work that will unfold over the next three years.

The initial parade carrying flags representing 194 countries was followed by a symbolic “puzzle” ceremony, and Archbishop Peter Chung Soon-taek, flanked by youth representatives, delivered an official statement launching the initiative. Also in attendance were Vice Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Yong Ho-sung and Mayor of Seoul Oh Se-hoon.

“The Church wants to prepare a stage for young people, a place for young people where they become the protagonists of this time,” said Archbishop Chung. “I want to dream a future of hope with you through WYD in Seoul.”

Speaking of South Korea, he added: “In just one century, our country has become a democracy. We have made significant progress in culture, but if we look at the lives of young people, the reality today is not easy at all”.

From this awareness, a strong hope emerged at yesterday’s event that the preparatory journey will be an opportunity for the young people involved 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 WYD in Seoul. I ask you, young people, to participate actively as architects of the miracle”, added the archbishop.

Another moment of yesterday’s celebration - which saw the presence of over 900 young people from different backgrounds, including people with disabilities, defectors from North Korea and military personnel from the Army, Navy and Air Force - was the presentation of the economic impact of the great event that will attract about one million young people from all over the world.

According to the study “2027 World Youth Day Economic Value Evaluation and Business Development Study” conducted on behalf of the Organizing Committee by the KDI School of Public Policy and Management of Sejong, the economic impact of the next World Youth Day in Seoul is estimated to be a spin-off of over 11,300 billion won (over 7.5 billion euros).

Meanwhile, in the run-up to WYD 2027, the next appointment is expected in September, when Pope Francis will make known the passage of Scripture that will inspire the theme and the official logo. The delivery of the symbols of WYD, the wooden cross and the torch, to the representatives of Seoul will follow in November.

• Seoul
• South Korea
• WYD
• 2027
• Pope Francis
• Myeongdong
• youth
• Peter Chung Soon-taek