SEOUL (LiCAS News): With World Youth Day 2027 in Seoul, South Korea, only a year away, the Local Organising Committee reported that preparations were moving from groundwork to full implementation, with work underway on pilgrim services, accommodation, transportation, safety, medical care, and communications.
The main events will be held in Seoul from 3 to 8, August 2027, bringing Poep Leo XIV and hundreds of thousands of young people from around the world to the event.
International pilgrims will first take part in the Days in the Dioceses from 29 July to 2 August 2027 in 15 dioceses across the country and will stay with local communities to experience the faith and culture of the Church in Korea.
“Over the past three years, we have concentrated on laying the foundations for the event,” said Archbishop Peter Soon-taick Chung of Seoul, president of the organising committee.
“The year ahead will be the time to complete our preparations and welcome young people from every part of the world. We will do everything possible to make WYD Seoul 2027 a celebration of hope and a witness to the hospitality and solidarity of Korea and Seoul,” he said.
The year ahead will be the time to complete our preparations and welcome young people from every part of the world. We will do everything possible to make WYD Seoul 2027 a celebration of hope and a witness to the hospitality and solidarity of Korea and Seoul
Archbishop Chung
The one-year countdown will be marked by the release of the official theme song, “Confidite, Ego Vici Mundum,” or “Take courage! I have overcome the world”, written by Korean composer, Francis Jiyoon Kim, which was selected from 434 entries, including 294 from outside South Korea.
Organisers will also launch the Breath of Life Global Tree-Planting Campaign with the Laudato Si’ Movement. The initiative will invite young people to plant trees in their countries and share their participation online.
The campaign aims to involve future pilgrims in ecological action, reduce the carbon footprint of their participation, and leave a legacy beyond the 2027 gathering.
The Archdiocese of Seoul is preparing a large-scale homestay programme involving about 230 parishes. Guidelines on host eligibility, safeguarding, training, and pilgrim allocation have been distributed, while parishes have begun recruiting host families. Organisers said the homestay programme would allow pilgrims to experience Korean family life, parish communities, and local hospitality.
Public facilities may also be used as supplementary accommodation.
The committee plans to deploy about 30,000 volunteers. Some 10,000 will serve in central operations, including pilgrim assistance, interpretation, event management, medical support, and safety, while another 20,000 will serve in parishes across the archdiocese.
The campaign aims to involve future pilgrims in ecological action, reduce the carbon footprint of their participation, and leave a legacy beyond the 2027 gathering
A total of 378 volunteers, including foreign residents and international long-term volunteers, are already involved in the preparations. Recruitment of short-term volunteers from South Korea and abroad will begin when pilgrim registration opens in October.
Registration for international pilgrims is scheduled to open in October. Pilgrims will be able to choose from 11 packages based on the length of their stay and the events they plan to attend.
The packages will include accommodation, meals, transportation, insurance and an official pilgrim kit. Contributions are expected to range from about US$80 to US$310.
Organisers are also developing an integrated logistics system, a pilgrim application and a prepaid card for public transportation and purchases.
About 250 youth ministry representatives from bishops’ conferences worldwide will meet in South Korea from September 14 to 17 for the Second International Preparatory Meeting.
The meeting will review preparations, discuss the needs of international delegations, and strengthen coordination with local Churches. Delegates will also be introduced to Korean culture and plans for the Days in the Dioceses.
The South Korean government, National Assembly, Seoul Metropolitan Government and the city’s education authorities are supporting the preparations.
