The Archdiocese of Seoul will officially launch preparations for the 2027 World Youth Day (WYD) with a ceremonial event at Myeongdong Cathedral on July 28.
This event follows the announcement made at WYD Lisbon 2023, where Seoul was named the next host city, prompting jubilant celebrations among South Korean participants.
The launch ceremony, co-hosted by the Vatican’s Dicastery for Laity, Family, and Life (DLFL), the Seoul WYD Regional Organizing Committee, and the Apostolic Nunciature in Korea, will set the stage for three years of extensive planning and preparation.
Under the theme “Hope Begins in Seoul, Korea – Wishing for the Success of the 2027 Seoul World Youth Day,” the event will emphasize a message of unity and optimism for the future.
The ceremony will commence with a procession of flag bearers representing 194 countries, followed by a symbolic puzzle ceremony.
Archbishop Peter Soon-taick Chung, alongside youth representatives, will deliver the official launch declaration, setting the tone for the event.
Vice Minister of Culture, Sports, and Tourism Yong Ho-seong and Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon will give keynote addresses.
A significant highlight will be the video briefing that presents findings from the “2027 World Youth Day Economic Value Assessment and Project Development Study,” conducted by the Korea Development Institute (KDI).
The report will underscore the economic impact of the upcoming event, detailing its potential to generate substantial economic benefits.
The ceremony is expected to attract a diverse audience, including around 800 youth participants from various backgrounds, such as individuals with disabilities, North Korean defectors, and military personnel from the Army, Navy, and Air Force.
Prominent guests will include Gleison De Paula Souza, Secretary of DLFL, Apostolic Nuncio to Korea Archbishop Giovanni Gaspari, and diplomatic representatives from eight countries, including the Dominican Republic, Rwanda, Mexico, Austria, Indonesia, Kenya, Colombia, and the Philippines.
Preparations for WYD will continue with the announcement of the event’s theme scripture by Pope Francis scheduled for September, followed by the handover of the WYD symbols, including a wooden cross and icon, in November.
