From 3rd-8th August 2027, Seoul, Korea, will host the World Youth Day (WYD) with the theme “Take courage: I have conquered the world!”(Jn. 16:33). This is only the second WYD to be held in Asia following Manila (Philippines) in 1995 and it will be the first to take place in a country with a non-Christian majority.

On 3rd August, one year before the start of the great event, the official anthem entitled Confidite, ego vici mundum was unveiled. Two versions have been proposed: the first, a more formal orchestral and choral arrangement the second, a contemporary pop version. The song communicates a clear message: even when faced with disappointments or fears, the Lord is always close to young people.

In addition, a Global Tree Planting Campaign, called Breath of life, has been launched, inviting young people to plant shrubs in their own countries. The initiative follows what was happened in Lisbon (Portugal) during the previous WYD in 2023 and is inspired by Pope Francis’ encyclical “Laudato Si ‘”.

Young people from the Focolare will also participate in the WYD. An international school for young people aged 16 to 20 was recently held in Trento (Italy) where the invitation of the Korean participants to the WYD in Seoul was enthusiastically welcomed. The coming year now marks the beginning of a journey of preparation in many countries, as Focolare youth prepare to live WYD with courage and hope, working for a world of peace and unity.

Foto: Pixabay

Farrell: Preparing together for WYD

Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Prefect of the Dicastery for the Laity, the Family and Life, told the Vatican media, “In its forty-year history, World Youth Day has grown ever richer thanks to the faith, enthusiasm and active participation of young people and local Churches”. To the Bishops and those responsible for youth ministry around the world, Cardinal Farrell renewed his invitation to accompany the young people on their journey towards Seoul 2027, “making the most of these resources in their preparation, helping them experience the pilgrimage as an authentic encounter of faith, ecclesial communion and a personal meeting with Jesus”.

Five patron saints

As is tradition for every WYD, five patron saints whose lives and spirituality offer inspiring examples of Christian witness, have been chosen as models of faith for young people. For 2027, the local organizing committee has chosen five: John Paul II, the founder of World Youth Days; Andrea Kim Taegon, the first Korean Catholic priest and a symbol of faith and courage; Francesca Saverio Cabrini, patron saint of migrants, born in Sant’Angelo Lodigiano (Italy) and who died in 1917 in Chicago, the birthplace of Robert Francis Prevost; Josephine Bakhita, the Sudanese woman who was freed from slavery, became a nun and bore witness to a faith transformed through suffering; Carlo Acutis, the fifteen-year-old Italian canonized on 7th September, 2025, a modern example of evangelization in the digital world.

The Cross, the Marian icon and the volunteers

The two symbols of WYD, the Cross and the Marian icon, arrived in South Korea in December 2025 and the following month began a national pilgrimage, through the dioceses of the country. “We will do everything possible – underlined the Metropolitan Archbishop of Seoul and President of the Organizing Committee, Monsignor Peter Soon-taick Chung – so that WYD 2027 is a celebration of hope and a witness to hospitality and solidarity”.

Meanwhile, in Seoul, many volunteers are already at work. About 400 young people are supporting the local organizing committee. They have been prepared using the texts of Pope Francis’ post-synodal apostolic exhortation “Christus Vivit” and through the method of Conversation in the Spirit. They currently are helping with the organisation of events, logistics, training of other volunteers, and communication.

For more information, visit the official website of WYD Seoul 2027 and follow the social channels of the event.

Lorenzo Russo