“Breath of life for the world: let’s plant trees”, the ecological campaign and steps towards WYD Seoul 2027

The Secretary of the Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life, Dr. Gleison De Paula Souza, accompanied by Fr. Franco Galdino, coordinator of the Youth Area of the Dicastery, and officials from the same area, participated in a tree planting ceremony at the Jeoldusan Martyrs' Shrine in Seoul on 9 July, as part of the ecological campaign ‘Breath of Life to the World: Let's Plant Trees’ in preparation for the next World Youth Day (WYD) in Seoul in 2027.

Pope Francis and Pope Leo XIV: their invitations to young people to care for Creation

‘The growing ecological awareness of young people is a response to the repeated calls of our beloved Pope Francis to care for our Common Home,’ commented Dr. De Paula Souza, "and the journey to Seoul is enriched by the guidance of Pope Leo XIV, who today [9 July] is celebrating the first Mass for the Care of Creation. Creation is at the hearts of young people, and harmony between our Creator, creation and all humanity must be rediscovered and safeguarded, after having destroyed it by claiming humanity could take the place of God."

The ceremony took place after the solemn celebration of Holy Mass and was attended by Bishop Lee Kyung-sang, general coordinator of WYD Seoul 2027, along with some young volunteers from WYD Seoul 2027 and members of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) that is carrying out the organisation of the World Youth Day.

This ecological initiative, conceived and led by young people from the Korean Youth Ministry, reflects the desire to make WYD Seoul 2027 even more meaningful, in line with the promotion and application of the encyclicals Laudato Si' and Fratelli Tutti.

The Dicastery's visit to the Local Organising Committee in preparation for WYD Seoul 2027

Participation in the event was made possible by the presence of the Secretary and officials of the Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life in Korea for one of their regular visits to the Local Organising Committee to accompany the progress of preparations for WYD.