Seoul awaits fourth papal visit in 2027 as host of World Youth Day
Following tradition, it is highly likely that newly elected Pope Leo XIV will visit South Korea with Seoul confirmed as the host city for World Youth Day 2027.
The visit may also rekindle hopes for a historic papal trip to North Korea — something that remained unfulfilled under Pope Francis.
On May 8, the Vatican’s conclave elected Pope Leo XIV, an American-born prelate with experience in Latin America and a background in missionary work. Born Robert Francis Prevost, he is 69 years old.
If Pope Leo attends the 2027 WYD, it would mark the fourth papal visit to the country and the first since Pope Francis’ five-day trip in 2014.
Pope Francis confirmed Seoul as the next WYD host during the 2023 event in Lisbon, making Korea the second Asian country to stage the event after the Philippines in 1995.
World Youth Day, the Catholic Church’s largest global gathering of young people, was launched in 1986 under Pope John Paul II and often draws hundreds of thousands from across continents to a single host city. By custom, the pope always attends.
Amid preparations for the event, attention is also turning to the long-standing question of whether the new pope will visit North Korea.
During his tenure, Pope Francis repeatedly expressed interest in visiting Pyongyang, even responding positively to an invitation conveyed through then-President Moon Jae-in. But with US-North Korea talks faltering and inter-Korean dialogue frozen, the trip never materialized.
Preparations are already under way for the 2027 WYD. The Archdiocese of Seoul anticipates between 400,000 to 800,000 participants, including tens of thousands of overseas pilgrims. Organizers are mapping out venues, accommodation, security protocols and outreach strategies to ensure the capital can accommodate one of the largest religious gatherings in its history.
gypark@heraldcorp.com
