Pope Leo XIV invites young people to World Youth Day 2027 in Seoul, South Korea
In a video message released October 22, the memorial of St. John Paul II, Pope Leo XIV invited young people to World Youth Day in Seoul, South Korea, which runs August 3 to 8, 2027. Registration opened the same day
Pope Leo XIV addressed young people around the world on October 22 in a video message in English, inviting them to come to Seoul, the capital of South Korea, for World Youth Day from August 3 to 8, 2027. The message came as registration for the event officially opened. It will be the 41st edition of the international Catholic gathering called by the pope.
The pope said the invitation is about far more than visiting an unfamiliar city. It means setting out on "a pilgrimage of faith, friendship and hope," he said. That journey, he added, gives each participant the time and space for a deeper encounter with God, both personally and within the life of the Church community.
Diversity and unity in Seoul
The pope told young people that pilgrims from all five continents will come together in Seoul, bringing many different languages and cultures. He described that diversity not as an obstacle but as a gift from God that makes an even deeper unity possible, "because we are all members of the one Body of Christ." He said he hoped those taking part would form lasting friendships and come away with happy memories.
Recalling St. John Paul II
The date chosen to open registration was not accidental. October 22 is the liturgical memorial of St. John Paul II, who established World Youth Day in 1985 and who is closely associated with its history. The pope recalled the words the saint repeated constantly: "Do not be afraid! Open wide the doors to Christ!" Those words are still addressed to each young person today, the pope said.
The theme of Seoul 2027
The theme of World Youth Day Seoul 2027 is "Take courage: I have conquered the world," taken from the Gospel of John (Jn 16:33). The pope encouraged young people to come on the pilgrimage with everything they carry inside: their dreams, their desires and their hopes, but also their wounds and their difficulties.
He closed the video message with a promise: "The Lord awaits you there, in that place of encounter and communion. He calls each one of you by name and wants to rekindle your hope and give you fullness of life and joy." He ended on a personal note: "I look forward to seeing you in Seoul."
How to register
Registration is handled through the site register.wyd-reg.org, which can be reached from the official page www.wydseoul.org. The forms are available in the event's six official languages: Korean, English, Spanish, French, Portuguese and Italian.
Pilgrims must register as part of a group, through bishops' conferences, dioceses, parishes, religious congregations or other Catholic associations and communities. Those who do not belong to an organized group are invited to join an existing one, such as that of their own parish or diocese.
The first stage of registration involves no payment. The group leader creates an account and enters basic details: the country of origin, the leader's information and the expected number of participants, so that organizers know the group intends to attend.
Response from the Church in Seoul
The bishops of the Archdiocese of Seoul answered the pope's invitation with a video of their own. In it, Archbishop Peter Soon-taick Chung, president of the local organizing committee for World Youth Day Seoul 2027, registers alongside a group of young people. In the same video, the bishops encourage pilgrims in Korea and abroad to take part.
Frequently asked questions about registration are posted in the FAQ section of the official site, and further questions can be sent to registration@wyd-reg.org.
