Pope Leo XIV has urged young people worldwide to register for the 2027 World Youth Day (WYD) in Seoul, South Korea, describing the gathering as a pilgrimage of faith, friendship and hope, Vatican News reported on October 22.
In a video message marking the opening of registration for the international Catholic youth gathering, the pope said the event would offer young people an opportunity to deepen their relationship with God and experience the unity of the universal Church.
WYD Seoul 2027, scheduled to take place in South Korea’s capital, will bring together young Catholics from different countries, cultures and linguistic backgrounds.
Pope Leo emphasized that the gathering is about more than visiting a new city. He invited participants to approach it as a pilgrimage that allows them to discover Christian sites, encounter God more deeply and strengthen their sense of belonging to the Church.
“Yet, despite these differences, and indeed because of your God-given diversity, you will experience an even greater sense of unity, for we are all members of the one Body of Christ,” he said.
The pope expressed hope that the gathering would help young people deepen their faith, encounter fellow Christians from around the world, make joyful memories and form friendships that last a lifetime.
The message was released on October 22, the feast of St. John Paul II, who established World Youth Day as an international gathering of young Catholics.
The theme for the Seoul gathering is “Take courage! I have overcome the world.”
Recalling St. John Paul II’s appeal, “Do not be afraid. Open wide the doors for Christ,” Pope Leo encouraged young people to bring their personal experiences and concerns to the gathering.
“Bring all that you are and all that you carry in your hearts, including your dreams, desires, and hopes, as well as your wounds and struggles,” he said.
The pope assured young people that God awaits them at World Youth Day, calling each of them by name and seeking to renew their hope and lead them toward a fuller life and joy.
He concluded by expressing his anticipation of meeting the young participants in Seoul and imparting his blessing on them and their loved ones.
World Youth Day is an international gathering that brings young Catholics together for prayer, catechesis, fellowship and encounters with the pope. The Seoul event will offer participants from across Asia and the wider world an opportunity to celebrate their faith and build connections across cultures.
Radio Veritas Asia (RVA), a media platform of the Catholic Church, aims to share Christ. RVA started in 1969 as a continental Catholic radio station to serve Asian countries in their respective local language, thus earning the tag “the Voice of Asian Christianity.” Responding to the emerging context, RVA embraced media platforms to connect with the global Asian audience via its 21 language websites and various social media platforms.
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