VATICAN (AsiaNews): The theme of World Youth Day [WYD] 2027, to be held in Seoul, South Korea, is “Take courage! I have overcome the world” [John 16:33].
The gospel verse chosen by Pope Francis, the event’s logo, was announced on September 24 at a press briefing at the Vatican. This marks the WYD’s return to Asia, bringing young people from all over the world together with the pope, more than 30 years after the 1995 edition in Manila.
The logo shows a stylised red and blue cross, inspired by traditional Korean art and incorporates Hangul characters representing Seoul, in front of a yellow circle representing Christ the light of the world.
At the briefing, Kevin Cardinal Farrell, prefect of the Dicastery for the Laity, Family and Life, was accompanied by Archbishop Peter Chung Soon-Taick together with Auxiliary Bishop Paul Lee Kyung Sang of Seoul—who is the general coordinator for WYD 2027—and Gabriela Kim Su-Ji, a young Korean.
The first event is on November 24, the solemnity of Christ the King, when the Church celebrates World Youth Day 2024 in all dioceses. In St. Peter’s Basilica, the Youth Cross will be delivered to the Archdiocese of Seoul in the presence of Pope Francis, along with the icon of Mary Salus Populi Romani, which have accompanied each WYD for the past 40 years.
The two symbols will be handed over by the young people of Lisbon, where the last international World Youth Day was held in 2023.
“The pilgrimage of WYD Seoul 2027 will be more than just a large gathering,” Archbishop Chung said. “It will be a meaningful journey where young people, united with Jesus Christ, reflect on and discuss the modern challenges and injustices they face. It will be a grand celebration, allowing everyone to experience the vibrant and energetic culture created by Korean youth.”
The archbishop said, “Through this collective journey, WYD pilgrims will become ‘courageous missionaries’, inspired to live out the joy of the Gospel they have found,” and “The one in Korea will be the first WYD in a country that does not have a Christian majority,” he added.
“Today 50 per cent of the [South] Korean population does not identify with any religion, 20 per cent are Buddhists, we Catholics are 11 per cent, while Protestants are almost 20 per cent. We will work to include people from every group on this religious spectrum.”
Cardinal Farrell underlined how “the dynamic Asian context will help young people to think about the dialogue between faith and modernity. They live in a world where they are confronted by challenges of global scope. These include a loss of meaning and purpose felt in some societies, the digital revolution, the climate crisis, economic inequalities, etc.”
Asked about the possibility that the WYD in Seoul could be an opportunity to fulfill the desire expressed in the past by Pope Francis to travel to North Korea, the cardinal replied that he had no idea at present. “It depends on an invitation from Pyongyang. Until there is one, it is an idea on which we are not working.”
The possibility of young North Koreans coming to WYD is indeed an uphill battle. “We would like to invite them very much. But currently both the international situation and the political relations between Seoul and Pyongyang do not favour their presence,” said Archbishop Chung wh, as archbishop of Seoul is also the apostolic administrator of the North Korean capital.
In any case, Bishop Lee notes that, “Amid the persistent reality as a ‘divided nation’, the Church has diligently worked to resolve the conflicts inherent in this division over the past seven decades, seeking peace and unity for the Korean people. [. . .] Our young people and young faithful remain open to interreligious dialogue and aspire towards harmonious and peaceful coexistence.”
The bishop added that, in its journey of preparation, the Korean Church plans to bring a thousand young people to Rome for the jubilee next summer.
Gabriela Kim, who took part in the Synod on Youth in 2018, spoke about difficulties young people experienced in South Korea due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Now that we can gather once more,” she said, “we face the challenge of a scattered flock, struggling to pass on the experience of faith. However, I am confident that WYD Seoul 2027 will provide a crucial opportunity to rekindle the flames of faith, not only in Korea but also around the world.
