World Youth Day 2027 will be held in Seoul, South Korea, from Tuesday August 3 to Sunday August 8, 2027, with Pope Leo XIV presiding at the Papal Welcome on August 5, the Way of the Cross on August 6, the Vigil on August 7 and the Closing Mass on August 8. The theme is “Take courage! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33), and the Local Organizing Committee expects around 500,000 participants.
Pope Francis announced Seoul as the next host at the closing Angelus of WYD Lisbon on August 6, 2023, and Pope Leo XIV confirmed the dates at the Jubilee of Youth Angelus at Tor Vergata on August 3, 2025: “Young people from all over the world will gather together with the Successor of Peter to celebrate World Youth Day in Seoul, Korea, from 3 to 8 August 2027.” Seoul 2027 is the 41st World Youth Day and only the second held in Asia, after Manila in 1995; it follows WYD Lisbon 2023 and the Jubilee of Young People in Rome in 2025.
The Days in the Dioceses, when pilgrims stay in Korean dioceses outside Seoul, run from July 29 to August 2, immediately before the main week. The main venues for the opening Mass, the papal events and the vigil site had not been announced as of October 2026; the organizers say venue details will be published through official channels once confirmed. The official website is wydseoul.org, available in Korean, English, Spanish, French, Portuguese and Italian.
The five patron saints, announced on April 26, 2026, are St. John Paul II, St. Andrew Kim Taegon and companions, St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, St. Josephine Bakhita and St. Carlo Acutis. About 11 percent of South Koreans are Catholic, in a Church founded by young lay believers and marked by a century of persecution and martyrs.
Related questions, answered
Who are the patron saints of World Youth Day Seoul 2027?
The five patron saints of WYD Seoul 2027 are St. John Paul II, who founded World Youth Day; St. Andrew Kim Taegon and his companion martyrs of Korea; St. Frances Xavier Cabrini; St. Josephine Bakhita; and St. Carlo Acutis. They were announced on April 26, 2026 and chosen around the themes of truth, love and peace after a survey of young people and youth ministers.
Source: Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life: the five patron saints of WYD Seoul 2027
What is the theme song of World Youth Day Seoul 2027?
The official hymn is “Confidite, ego vici mundum” (“Take courage, I have overcome the world”) by the Korean composer Francis Jiyoon Kim, chosen from 434 entries and premiered on August 3, 2026, one year before the event. It exists in classical and K-pop versions and in six languages: Korean, English, French, Spanish, Portuguese and Italian. Sheet music is downloadable from the official website for parish choirs and youth groups.
Source: Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life: the WYD Seoul 2027 hymnWYD Seoul 2027: FAQ
What does the WYD Seoul 2027 logo mean?
The logo writes “Seoul” in traditional Korean brush calligraphy that combines Hangeul with the letters W, Y and D, a sign of harmony between East and West, and includes the cross, the dynamism of Korea, an exuberant young person, the Holy Spirit and the glory of Christ’s victory. Its colors are white (purity and conviction), black (a time for strong faith), red (dedication and passion), blue (the energy of youth) and yellow (the light of Christ). Catholic Church entities may use the title and logo free of charge for promotion and spiritual preparation; others need written consent.
Source: WYD Seoul 2027: the logo
