Pope Leo XIV invites youth to Seoul for World Youth Day 2027

Registration for World Youth Day Seoul 2027 opened Thursday. On the same day, Pope Leo XIV released a video message inviting young people around the world to the Catholic gathering in the Korean capital next summer.

"Today, as registration opens for next year’s World Youth Day, I warmly invite each of you to Seoul," the pope said in the message, which the Holy See Press Office released at 7 p.m. Korea time. "This is not merely an invitation to see a new city. It is a call to set out on a pilgrimage of faith, friendship and hope."

He said pilgrims would meet young people from across the world, "representing a beautiful and rich variety of languages and cultures," and would find "an even greater sense of unity" because of that diversity.

The registration launch coincides with the feast day of St. John Paul II, who established World Youth Day in 1985. Pope Leo recalled his predecessor's call, "Do not be afraid. Open wide the doors for Christ," and told young people to bring "your dreams, desires and hopes, as well as your wounds and struggles."

The 2027 World Youth Day runs Aug. 3-8 in Seoul, making Korea the second Asian country to host the gathering after the Philippines in 1995. The Archdiocese of Seoul expects the closing Mass to draw 400,000 to 500,000 people from Korea and abroad, and possibly as many as 800,000.

Pilgrims register mainly as groups organized by dioceses, parishes, religious orders and Catholic movements, through wydseoul.org. Forms are available in six languages, including Korean and English. There are 11 participation packages, priced from $70 to $340 depending on length of stay, lodging and meals.

A separate registration for bishops and other programs opens in November, with media accreditation opening in May 2027.