The official schedule of the 2027 World Youth Day in Seoul has been announced. Shown are members of the pilgramage group 1004 (Angel) Project on July 31 sent to Rome by the Archdiocese of Seoul in a group photo with Seoul Archbishop Andrew Yeom Soo-jung after attending Mass at the Church of San Crisogono in Rome to mark the Jubilee for Young People. (Archdiocese of Seoul)
By Jeon Misun
Pope Leo XIV will attend in August 2027 in Seoul the global Catholic festival World Youth Day (WYD).
The Archdiocese of Seoul said the pope on Aug. 3 officially confirmed at this year's Mass for the Jubilee of Young People in Rome that Seoul will host the 2027 event from Aug. 3-8.
"I look forward to seeing you in Seoul: Let us continue to dream together and to hope together," the pope said.
WYD is a global celebration of Catholic youth launched by Pope John Paul II in 1986. The event is held every three to four years and the custom is for the pope to attend in person and meet young people.
At the closing Mass of the previous WYD in Lisbon, Portugal, in August 2023, Pope Francis announced that Seoul would host the next festival. The 2027 gathering will mark Korea's first hosting of the event and Asia's second 32 years after the Philippines hosted the 1995 WYD in Manila.
msjeon22@korea.kr