Vatican City (AsiaNews) – Pope Leo XIV extended an invitation to young people in a video message released today, coinciding with the official opening of registrations for WYD 2027, a date chosen purposefully, as it falls on the day the Church celebrates the liturgical feast of Saint John Paul II, who launched the great global gathering of young Catholics.
A “pilgrimage of faith, friendship and hope”
As already announced, WYD Seoul will take place in Seoul from 3 to 8 August 2027.
In the video, the pontiff urges young people to “bring all that you are and all that you carry in your hearts, including your dreams, desires, and hopes, as well as your wounds and struggles.” His “is not merely an invitation to see a new city,” but “a call to set out on a pilgrimage of faith, friendship and hope.”
“A pilgrimage gives you the chance not only to discover Christian sites in another location, but also to find the time and space to encounter God more deeply, both personally and within the dynamic life of the Church.”
“[T]he theme for World Youth Day is ‘Take courage! I have overcome the world’ (Jn 16:33). Providentially, today we celebrate the liturgical memory of Saint John Paul II who continuously proclaimed to all peoples: ‘Do not be afraid. Open wide the doors for Christ’.”
“These words also apply to each one of you, so on this pilgrimage. [. . .] The Lord is waiting for you in this place of encounter and communion. He calls each of you by name and he desires to reawaken your hope and to give you the fullness of life and joy.”
Lastly, “I look forward to seeing you in Seoul!” the pope said, thus confirming his visit next summer in Asia. “In the meantime, may God bless you and your loved ones.”
Registration procedures and packages
Starting today, young people from all over the world can register via the WYD registration website, which can be accessed from the WYD official website. Registration forms are available in the event’s six official languages: Korean, English, Spanish, French, Portuguese, and Italian.
Registration is not handled on an individual basis, but through groups. Bishops’ conferences, dioceses, parishes, religious congregations, and other Catholic associations and communities may register as a group.
Individuals and small groups are encouraged to join an existing group, such as one organised by their own parish or diocese.
The registration process consists of two phases: in the first, a group leader creates an account and provides basic information: the country, the leader’s contact details, and the expected number of pilgrims. This serves to notify the organisers of the intention to participate.
No payment is required at this stage. Once the account has been activated, the group leader will be able to access a secure area to enter the details of each pilgrim, the group’s arrival and departure dates in Seoul, and information regarding catechesis sessions.
The group leader will then select one of the 11 available pilgrim packages and pay the participation fee, which ranges from 70 to 340 US dollars. Each package includes public transport in Seoul, insurance, and a pilgrim kit.
The packages vary based on the length of the stay and whether or not they include accommodation and meals. Each group may choose the package that best suits their own schedule and requirements.
The recommended age range for participating in WYD (World Youth Day) is 14 to 30 years old. Minors must have written consent from a parent or legal guardian and must be accompanied by an adult.
Pilgrims who require a visa to enter South Korea, as well as pilgrims with disabilities, must provide the relevant information at the time of registration. Answers to frequently asked questions regarding registration can be found in the FAQ section on the website.
Beyond the armour of adolescents
Today the Pope also spoke in the Paul VI Hall about young people in an address to about a thousand organisers and participants of the International Congress on the Pastoral Care of School and Universities, an event held at the Vatican that ends tomorrow, titled Drawing New Maps of Hope, and organised by the Dicastery for Culture and Education.
"Many young people today," Leo noted, "are, as it were, paralysed by the fear of making mistakes, of not being 'up to the task’, of being misunderstood, or of failing to meet expectations. We live in a culture of performance that constantly makes comparisons and ranks people, sometimes in a ruthless way. A misguided meritocracy ends up failing to respect the individual. As a result, many give up before they even try."
In light of this, the pontiff called for help to young people so that they can “become protagonists of a new way of inhabiting the world, builders of fraternity and a more just society. Courage is born from a pact of trust, from the experience of having someone who believes in you before you even believe in yourself. Jesus did not choose the Twelve because they were already courageous; He called them and, through His trust in them, He empowered them."
“Beneath the armour that many teenagers build for themselves to avoid suffering, lies a deep desire to love and to be loved,” the pope explained. “Pastoral care of school and universities will be all the more fruitful the more it focuses on the education of the heart, educating the heart towards compassion, gratitude, and the capacity to be moved by the pain of others; educating it towards praise and a longing for God.”
what is more, “service to the poor, volunteering, and caring for creation are not merely peripheral activities; rather, they are spaces where the heart learns to expand." So "Let us not forget: charity and prayer are inseparable."
“False teachers and deceptive messages,” the Pontiff said in addressing educators, "promise quick answers to the questions young people have. You, however, have chosen to do something greater: to walk with them along the path, until they discover the gifts that God has already placed within them.”
