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FAQ

FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions

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What is World Youth Day?
World Youth Day is celebrated yearly in each diocese, but there is also an international gathering. At the beginning, the international gathering was held every other year. The first diocesan WYD was held in 1986, with the first international WYD (and second WYD) being held the next year, in 1987 in Buenos Aires. In 1988, the third WYD was commemorated in dioceses around the world, and in 1989 young people from around the world gathered in Santiago de Compostela for WYD. Today, the diocesan World Youth Day is celebrated every year in individual dioceses. Then, once every three to four years, young people from around the world gather to celebrate it with the Pope.
Why is the Pope visiting South Korea?
A papal vist is an event that symbolically reveals the country's status in the international community. When Pope Francis visited in 2014, it was an inspiring and comforting reflection of his efforts to seek out the marginalized, the poor, and the excluded. Moreover, it served as a motivation for a renewed beginning. Even in this age characterized by competition and exclusion, the Holy Father always emphasizes hope for humanity. The visit of the Pope, who is a symbol of peace, to the divided Korean peninsula is expected to raise international awareness of the North-South issue and provide an opportunity to discuss peace for everyone.
How many pilgrims do you expect at WYD Seoul 2027?
The largest number of pilgrims in the history of WYD gathered in Manila in 1995. On the other hand, the lowest recorded number was at Sydney in 2008, with around 400,000 pilgrims. Being an island, visiting Australia wasn't easy, geographically speaking. As entry to South Korea is also only possible by air or sea, in some ways the Korean WYD is similar to Sydney. However, considering the recent global interest in South Korea, we are expecting around 500,000 to 700,000 participants.
What is the plan for accommodations?
Before WYD, there are also Days in the Dioceses, where pilgrims get to experience other dioceses around Korea before heading to Seoul for the six days of the festival. Both before and during WYD, homestays have long been a hallmark, allowing international youth to connect deeply with local family traditions and culture. We are preparing Korean families to open their homes and hearts, but as with previous WYDs, we expect that there will be more pilgrims than families to accommodate them. Therefore, we are also securing venues such as retreat houses, training centers, gymnasiums, and auditoriums, with plans to assign participants to the appropriate accommodations. Of course, on the day before the Closing Mass, all pilgrims will move to the venue and spend an evening in prayer with the Pope before spending the night in sleeping bags. The WYD Seoul 2027 Local Organizing Committee is carefully considering the location for this Mass, with an emphasis on the logistics, such as water supply, restrooms, garbage disposal, and medical facilities, so that the pilgrims can spend the night safely.
In what ways might WYD Seoul 2027 have an impact on society or culture?
In today’s fast-changing world, we want to create spaces where young people can connect with peers from all corners of the globe, feel genuinely welcomed and loved, and explore what life really means. Through various meetings and discussions during WYD, pilgrims will have the opportunity to reflect on global issues such as climate, war, poverty, and peace, and consider what stance they should take on these issues. Furthermore, by learning to understand diverse cultures and embody the spirit of peace with an unbiased perspective, the young people who participate in WYD will contribute to the development of future international relations as they grow into social leaders.
What does WYD need to be successful?
World Youth Day in Seoul must be created by many people working together, with the young participants playing the leading role. Unlike other international events, WYD does not just target the youth, but seeks to include them as leaders in the preparation process. More than anything else, we must gather our hearts and prepare spiritually. We turn to Our Blessed Mother Mary in the rosary and ask for her powerful intercession, entrusting this global gathering of young people to her maternal care. We also invite everyone to pray the “Prayer for Young People” found on this website, calling down abundant graces upon all preparations and participants!