Pope Leo XIV has sent an invitation message to young people around the world ahead of the World Youth Day scheduled to take place in Seoul next August.
According to the city of Seoul, the Pope expressed in a Korean message released through the Vatican on November 3, "I am eagerly waiting to meet you in Seoul," adding, "When we gather in Seoul, you will experience the beauty of the universal Church and the generous hospitality of the Korean Church in a special way."
He emphasized that the event will bring together young people from different countries with diverse languages and cultures, urging them to make it an opportunity to truly encounter Jesus Christ and entrust their lives to Him.
The Pope also encouraged attendees to "bring your questions and your wounds," and to bring the scars that divide societies and create conflicts between nations. He urged them to let the realities surrounding them touch and move their hearts as they participate in the event.
Offering words of comfort to youth struggling with anxiety and pressure about the future, he said, "You do not need to constantly prove your worth or show yourself, nor do you need to hide your weaknesses, doubts, and limitations. Have the courage to be truly yourself."
World Youth Day, the largest Catholic youth festival, was initiated by Pope John Paul II in 1985 to commemorate the United Nations' proclaimed 'International Year of Youth.' The first event took place in Rome in 1986, followed by gatherings in cities such as Manila, Paris, and Lisbon. The 17th edition will be held in Seoul from August 3 to 8, 2027.
This will be the second World Youth Day in Asia, following Manila, and the first to be held in a non-Christian country, with over one million participants expected to attend.
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.