Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Archdiocese of Wonju
Seoul (Agenzia Fides) – “World Youth Day Seoul 2027 will be the first WYD to be held in a country with a non-Christian majority and the second in Asia. “It will offer young people a profound encounter with God, allowing them to experience the universality of the Church,” said Father Fabiano Rebeggiani, an Italian priest from the Archdiocese of Seoul and deputy director of the World Youth Day Seoul 2027 Organizing Committee. During a meeting held on February 4 at the campus of the Catholic University of Korea, which brought together some 30 ambassadors, consuls, and diplomatic representatives from 25 countries in Latin America and Europe, the priest noted: “We are aware that travel and visa procedures present difficulties, especially for young people from distant regions. Therefore, we wish to collaborate closely with our diplomatic partners to facilitate their participation.” “Our intention is to support young people who are already making great efforts to attend,” he emphasized, expressing the desire to achieve the broadest possible participation of young people from all five continents. “World Youth Day Seoul 2027 will offer young people a space to seek the truth, pray for peace, and share reconciliation and hope amidst realities marked by division,” he added. Ambassadors, consuls, and officials from various countries have expressed considerable interest in the event and have pledged to encourage the participation of young people from their respective nations. The organizing committee has emphasized the importance of timely coordination with national episcopal conferences to estimate the expected number of participants, a figure that will be essential for finalizing arrangements regarding flights and accommodation. To this end, ongoing cooperation and open communication with diplomatic missions are being promoted. Meanwhile, in South Korea, the long national pilgrimage of the Cross and the icon of the Virgin Mary, symbols of World Youth Day, began on January 21. The pilgrimage will travel through dioceses throughout the country, encountering the diverse realities of the Korean Church.
In the first stop, held in the Diocese of Wonju, local faithful, especially young people, along with Bishop Basil Cho Kyu-man, priests, and religious, participated in a procession with the World Youth Day Cross and the Marian icon. During his homily at the welcoming Mass, Bishop Cho Kyu-man stated: “By welcoming the World Youth Day Cross and the icon of the Virgin Mary, we are seriously beginning the diocesan journey toward World Youth Day in Seoul.” He added: “Jesus and his disciples, who were young, changed the world, and the ancestors of the Korean Church also founded the Church in this land with the strength of their youthful faith. You too, young people of today, can transform this world, this society, and the Church.”
Viviana Jin Min-kyung, head of youth ministry at the parish of Wondong in the Diocese of Wonju, said: “I hope that many young people in the diocese will be able to experience the love of Jesus through this cross, which contains the prayers of people from all over the world.” The pilgrimage of the World Youth Day symbols will continue in the Diocese of Wonju for five weeks, until February 25. During this period, the Cross and the icon will be taken to parishes, shrines, schools, social service centers, and pastoral centers. (PA) (Agenzia Fides, 7/2/2025)
