World Youth Day 2027
World Youth Day 2027 will be a Catholic festival taking place in Seoul, South Korea from August 3-8, 2027. It was announced by Pope Francis at the end of the closing Mass of World Youth Day 2023 in Lisbon, Portugal. Following Francis’ death in 2025, Pope Leo XIV will lead the event, making it the first World Youth Day under his papacy. It will also be the first World Youth Day to take place in Asia since Manila, Philippines in 1995, as well as the first to ever be held in a Christian-minority country.
Announcement
The announcement of the event was made by Pope Francis on August 6, 2023, after the closing Mass of World Youth Day in Lisbon, held in Tagus Park, Portugal. At the time of the announcement, approximately 1.5 million people were present.South Korea does not have a majority religious group, but it has experienced an increase in the number of Christians, who represent aphproximately 30% of the population, of whom 12% are Catholic.
And finally, the moment everyone is waiting for arrives: the announcement of the next stage of the journey. And the next World Youth Day will take place in Asia: it will be in South Korea, in Seoul. And so, in 2027, from the western edge of Europe, it will move toward the Far East. And this is a beautiful sign of the universality of the Church and of the dream of unity of which you are witnesses.
Pope Francis announcing Lisbon as the venue for World Youth Day 2027
Theme
At a press conference on 24 September 2024, the Holy See announced the theme for the event: "Take courage! I have overcome the world". The announcement was made by Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Prefect of the Dicastery for the Laity, Family and Life. Cardinal Farrell, Archbishop Peter Chung Soon-taick, Bishop Paul Kyung Sang Lee and Gabriela Su-Ji Kim, a young Korean leader, spoke about the spiritual preparations for the event, its significance for young people globally, and its connection to Korean culture. The theme, taken from the Gospel of John, encourages young people to face challenges with courage and hope.The handover of the World Youth Day Cross and the icon of Mary from Lisbon to Seoul took place during the Solemnity of Christ the King on 24 November 2024, marking the beginning of the Korean Church's preparations for the event.
WYD Seoul 2027 is planned as a gathering of young people from around the world for a pilgrimage focused on faith, dialogue and celebration in the Far East.
Logo
The logo for the 2027 World Youth Day was unveiled on September 24, 2024. It was designed by Jin Su-hyeon, a 26-year-old researcher at the Hongik University Environmental Art Research Institute. The logo features a cross and the Korean character Ieung, which is placed at the center of the cross. The color palette consists of red, blue, and black.The cross is formed by two brush strokes — one red and one blue. The red stroke symbolizes "blood-stained martyrdom", while the blue stroke represents "the energy of youth". At the center of the cross, the circular figure ieung envisions the glory of Jesus' victory, reflecting the theme of this edition of World Youth Day. The black color in the palette signifies the mysterious future awaiting the youth.
The word "Seoul" in the logo is written in Hangul calligraphy but is creatively formed using the letters 'W', 'Y', and 'D', symbolizing the unity of youth from around the world who will gather in Seoul.
The brush strokes in the logo were inspired by the painting Inwang jesaekdo by the late Joseon-era artist Jeong Seon. This painting depicts the view of Inwang Mountain in Seoul after the rain.