Pope Leo XIV Invites Young People to Seoul as Registration Opens for WYD Seoul 2027

In a video message released as online registration opened, the Pope asks young people to bring “all that you are” on a pilgrimage of faith, friendship, and hope.

Registration for WYD Seoul 2027 opened today. Pope Leo XIV marked the occasion with a video message, released by the Holy See Press Office, inviting young people from around the world to come to Seoul.

“Today, as registration opens for next year’s World Youth Day, I warmly invite each of you to Seoul,” the Pope said. “This is not merely an invitation to see a new city. It is a call to set out on a pilgrimage of faith, friendship and hope.”

WYD Seoul 2027 is the 41st World Youth Day, an international Catholic gathering of young people convened by the Pope. It takes place in Seoul from August 3 to 8, 2027. Young people register through register.wyd-reg.org, which is linked from the official website, www.wydseoul.org. The registration forms are available in the event’s six official languages: Korean, English, Spanish, French, Portuguese, and Italian.

Registration opened on the liturgical memorial of St. John Paul II. He met young people in Rome in 1984 and established World Youth Day the following year. In his message, Pope Leo

recalled the words St. John Paul II “continuously proclaimed to all peoples: ‘Do not be afraid. Open wide the doors for Christ.’” He added: “These words also apply to each one of you.”

The Pope asked young people to come as they are. “On this pilgrimage, bring all that you are and all that you carry in your hearts, including your dreams, desires, and hopes, as well as your wounds and struggles,” he said. “The Lord is waiting for you in this place of encounter and communion.” He closed with: “I look forward to seeing you in Seoul!”

The Pope’s video message is available on the official WYD Seoul 2027 website. The official text of the message is available in the Holy See Press Office Bulletin.

The bishops of the Archdiocese of Seoul answered the invitation with a video of their own. It shows Archbishop Peter Soon-taick Chung, President of the WYD Seoul 2027 Local Organizing Committee, registering together with young people. In the video, the bishops encourage pilgrims in Korea and abroad to take part.

How to Register

Pilgrims register in groups. Bishops’ conferences, dioceses, parishes, religious congregations, and other Catholic associations and communities can each register their young people as a group. Individuals and small groups are encouraged to join an existing group, such as one organized by their parish or diocese.

Registration has two phases:

• Phase 1: The group leader creates an account and enters basic information: the country, the leader’s details, and the expected number of pilgrims. This tells the organizers the group intends to take part. Nothing is paid at this stage.

• Phase 2: Once the account is activated, the leader logs in to the reserved area and enters each pilgrim’s details, the group’s arrival and departure dates in Seoul, and catechesis information. The leader then chooses a pilgrim package and pays the Participation Contribution.

Registration is complete once all the information is entered and the payment has been made.

There are 11 pilgrim packages, and the Participation Contribution ranges from USD 70 to USD 340. Every package includes public transportation in Seoul, insurance, and the pilgrim kit. They differ in length of stay and in whether accommodation and meals are included. Each group chooses the package that fits its schedule and needs.

Minors need written consent from a parent or legal guardian and must be accompanied by an adult. Pilgrims who need a visa to enter Korea, and pilgrims with disabilities, provide the relevant details when they register.

Today’s opening covers pilgrims and volunteers. Registration for bishops opens in early November, and applications for the Youth Festival and the Vocations Fair open later that month.

Media registration is scheduled to open in May 2027.

Answers to common questions about registration are in the FAQ on www.wydseoul.org. Inquiries can be sent to inquiries@wydseoul.org.