In response to Pope Francis designating Seoul, South Korea, as the host city for World Youth Day 2027, Archbishop Peter Chung Soon-taick expressed his “profound gratitude.” He pledged to orchestrate an event that not only brings young people together but also nurtures “fraternity, spirituality, and social cohesion” across diverse cultural and religious boundaries. Pope Francis made the announcement about Seoul’s selection as the host city during the conclusion of his Sunday Mass held at Lisbon’s Tejo Park. The upcoming World Youth Day in Seoul holds special significance as it will be only the second time that Asia has had the honor of hosting this global event. The Philippines previously hosted the festival in 1995.
National Catholic Reporter reports:
Expressing “profound gratitude” for Pope Francis naming his city as the host of World Youth Day 2027, Archbishop Peter Chung Soon-taick of Seoul, South Korea, vowed to organize an event that will foster “fraternity, spirituality and social cohesion” across cultural and religious lines.
“World Youth Day is not just a Catholic event. It is a global celebration and a platform for interreligious encounters. It presents specific beliefs and ideologies, and invites all individuals of good will to come together and share fellowship,” Soon-taick told reporters Aug. 6 in Lisbon.
Speaking through an interpreter, the archbishop thanked organizers of the World Youth Day festival in Lisbon for promoting “brotherhood, friendship, and dynamism.” He said 2027 World Youth Day in Seoul would aspire to become “a radiant beacon of unity, embracing the rich culture of East Asia.”
“We pledge to uphold the universal spirit of World Youth Day that has embraced previous editions,” he said. “Our foremost objective is to foster meaningful connections and usher in substantial social and economic gains for the young people from around the world. We envision young souls from all corners of the globe converging in Seoul and throughout South Korea.”
Pope Francis announced that Seoul will be the host city in 2027 at the end of his Sunday Mass in Lisbon’s Tejo Park, where an estimated 1.5 million young people from more than 200 countries camped overnight on the banks of the Tagus River. The Mass capped off a week’s worth of events in the Portuguese capital.
The Seoul event will mark only the second time that Asia has hosted World Youth Day. The Philippines hosted the festival in 1995.
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