Towards Seoul 2027: Young Asians light the way at Tor Vergata
In the large open space outside Rome, one million young people celebrated their Jubilee ahead of the next WYD in Asia. AsiaNews spoke to some of the 1,500 Koreans in attendance, “eagerly waiting” and “diligently preparing for 2027.” One said that his mother’s conversion “brought me here today, to Rome.” Young people from Japan, India, Lebanon, and Iraq will hold in their hearts the unique encounters that rekindled their faith.
Tor Vergata (AsiaNews) – Hope is a dome of crystal-clear blue sky, below, a million young souls with at the edges, the entire world. Emotions streak their faces, colour them.
In Tor Vergata, Rome, fences, divisions melt away. At night, even the metal fences separating the sectors in the great open space give way to enthusiasm. People climb over them, sneak in, find ways.
Hugging is an unstoppable rule. The "juventud del papa" from every corner of the world took part in the Jubilee, ahead of Seoul 2027, on a restless, unstoppable journey, punctuated only by large gatherings, which includes daily steps of full life.
Saint John Paul II stood in this same place, 25 years ago, at the gathering that marked the start of the millennium. In the hearts of many, and in the homily of Leo XIV today, so did Pope Francis, with the words he spoke in Lisbon, in 2023.
Catholic youth are on the move, their pastors accompanying them. “Let us continue to hope together, to dream together," Leo XIV told the young men and women from 146 countries at the end of the Jubilee of Youth, after days of encounter with others, with God.
On Saturday, when the pontiff arrived by papal helicopter at Tor Vergata, at 7:23 PM, the sun was setting on the horizon, amid a breeze. A wonderful, sharp light illuminated his eyes, marked by the fatigue from a busy week.
"Clear the way" was the order circulating a few minutes earlier in the areas awaiting the Popemobile. South Korean Cardinal Lazarus You Heung-sik, prefect of the Dicastery for the Clergy, briskly walked down the central corridor, directly in front of the large stage, to embrace "his" young people.
Around 1,500 people from South Korea were in the front rows, ready to join in this historic gathering. The cardinal, welcomed with overflowing joy, exulted with raised fists, signed flags, shook hands, chased by photographers.
"We want to share our happiness with young people from every country. We are diligently preparing for 2027. I really hope to meet everyone in Korea too,” said Chiyeong Hong, 26, from Seoul, speaking to AsiaNews shortly before the evening vigil on Saturday.
"Here I saw so many young people of faith. Catholics make up about 10 per cent of (South) Korea, and I was very impressed. I carry my faith in Jesus; sharing it with the world has touched me deeply."
Nearby, Minwoo Lee, 19, said that the most touching moment of the week was the welcoming Mass in St Peter's. It marked the beginning, in a spirit of peace, of the Jubilee of Youth.
Looking ahead to the next World Youth Day in Asia, from August 3 to 8, 2027, he said: “We expect many people to come to learn about the history of Catholicism in Korea. Furthermore, there are beautiful cities, not just Seoul.”
Talking about the origins of his faith, he says: "My mother was the first in our family to become Catholic; I chose to follow her. I also began to believe, with conviction. This brought me here today, to Rome."
Chaeeun Lee is one of the young Koreans Pope Leo XIV referred to with an applause during his final greeting at today's celebration. "I'm very excited,” said the 18-year-old speaking to AsiaNews.
“I'm eagerly waiting for WYD 2027 because these days have left me with wonderful memories. I can't wait,” she said. “These days were tiring, especially at Tor Vergata. But every event was beautiful; I already carry them within me."
Jun Hee Lee, 26, from the Diocese of Uijeongbu, cherished his “visit to St Peter's Basilica; it is huge and very evocative. There I prayed to God for a blessing for my family, my community, and my city. At the WYD in Seoul, many young people will be able to come to know God and Jesus.”
After landing, Pope Leo XIV made a wide tour, symbolically embracing all the national groups. The outskirts of this huge open space are those of the world.
Before Saturday's Vigil, he walked the last few metres, holding the Jubilee cross, serious, ready for prayer, “in the advancing evening light," just as in the morning, with the weariness weighing on the site, the echo of his voice reverberating, spreading.
Dozens of young pilgrims from Japan were also listening. AsiaNews spoke with Nicole Kawakami, 21, from Osaka, Kaya Kito, 24, from Tokyo, and Nanami Hirao, 24, from Kagoshima.
For them, “The visit to the four basilicas (St Peter's, St Mary Major, St John Lateran, and St Paul Outside the Walls) was a wonderful experience”.
“In Japan, the Catholic community is very small; most [Japanese] are non-believers. It's hard for us to be good Christians every day. This is why relations with other Japanese Christians, or with Christians from other countries, are very important. Going to Mass every week is the most important thing. Let's try to never give it up, even if it's difficult."
In the early hours of the night between Saturday and Sunday, AsiaNews met other young men and women from Asia who were getting ready to rest, or to celebrate tirelessly – as it were – with their peers from every continent.
“Passing through the Holy Doors in Rome was truly moving,” said Zeshawn Fernandes, a 29-year-old from Goa, India. “And, of course, meeting the Pope here at Tor Vergata.”
A group of 47, including five priests, arrived in Rome from the Archdiocese of Goa and Damão, many of whom were also present at the WYD in Lisbon two years ago.
"In India, we Christians are a minority. Having the opportunity to come here, to have this experience, is something unique. These memories will last forever."
“I believe in God thanks to my mother," the young man said. “She continues to speak to me about Him, about how He guides us in difficult and trying times. I encourage others to believe as well."
At this morning's Angelus, Pope Leo XIV asked young people to bring "this joy" to the whole world, especially “to the many countries from where it was impossible to leave."
"We are closer than ever to the young people who suffer the gravest evils, caused by other human beings," he added, in Gaza, in Ukraine, and in “every land brutalised by war.”
For Sally Yasmine, “Peace comes from the Lord. I think if we turn to Him, we will be able to understand what we don't fully understand,” said the 26-year-old speaking to AsiaNews. A Canadian originally from Lebanon, she is a member of the International Youth Advisory Body (IYAB), an advisory body for the Dicastery for Laity, Family, and Life.
“We’ve learnt a lot these days,” said Bashar Ghno, a 25-year-old from Baghdad, Iraq, a place that has suffered greatly from violence.
Although “We are experiencing many difficulties in our country, it is important to learn about other cultures, to know how Christians live in Europe,” he told AsiaNews. “I will bring this experience home, to my friends, to my Church, to have an impact on people in Iraq.”
All these living testimonies of the “pilgrimage of hope”, as Pope Leo XIV put it, will lead to Asia, to Seoul, in two years. The journey of Catholic youth continues. Indeed, it has never stopped.
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