By Lee Jihae
Video = Official YouTube channel of Seoul World Youth Day

Pope Leo XIV has released a video message encouraging people to attend next year's World Youth Day (WYD) in Seoul, coinciding with the Oct. 22 start of the event's registration system.

In the video posted on the Vatican's official news bulletin Acts of the Apostolic See and the website of the WYD organizing committee, he said, "My dear young friends, today, as registration opens for next year's World Youth Day, I warmly invite each of you to Seoul."

"In Seoul, you will meet young people from all across the world, representing a beautiful and rich variety of languages and cultures," he added.

"Yet despite these differences, and indeed, because of your God-given diversity, you will experience an even greater sense of unity."

"The theme for World Youth Day is 'Take courage. I have overcome the world.' (John 16:33)," he added. "So on this pilgrimmage, 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."

WYD is a global festival where young Catholics gather with the pope to share their faith and experience the cultures and traditions of their countries. The Seoul event will run from Aug. 3-8 with Leo scheduled to attend.

The registration system (register.wyd-reg.org), which is connected to the event's official website (www.wydseoul.org), from Oct. 22 began taking group pilgrim reservations.

jihlee08@korea.kr