What did Pope Leo XIV ask young Catholics to bring to World Youth Day 2027 in Seoul?

He urged them to bring their questions and personal wounds to Christ, as well as the wounds that divide their societies and set countries against one another. He also encouraged them to prepare their hearts rather than only making practical arrangements.

Why did Pope Leo XIV say young people may feel anxious about the future or pressured to appear perfect?

He pointed to the influence of social media and technology as factors that can contribute to young people’s anxiety and pressure to appear perfect. He said technology cannot replace authentic human closeness and can only imitate empathy.

What will make World Youth Day 2027 in Seoul an international gathering?

The pope said young people from different nations, languages and cultures will come together, allowing them to experience the universal Church and the hospitality of the Church in Korea. The event is scheduled for Aug. 3-8.

Pope invites youth to bring 'questions and wounds' to 2027 World Youth Day in Seoul

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Summary

Pope Leo XIV urged young Catholics to bring their questions and wounds to Christ ahead of World Youth Day 2027 in Seoul, where he said he looks forward to meeting them. In a message released by the Holy See on Tuesday, he said young people should not wait until they feel perfect before opening themselves to Christ. He warned that social media and technology can contribute to anxiety and cannot replace authentic human closeness. The gathering is scheduled for Aug. 3-8 and will bring together young people from different nations, languages and cultures.

Key Facts

The pope said technology can imitate empathy but cannot replace authentic human closeness.
World Youth Day 2027 will be the first time the Catholic gathering takes place in Korea and the second time it is held in Asia, after Manila in 1995.
Pope Leo XIV will visit Korea for the first time since taking office last year.

By Yonhap

Published Nov 4, 2026 9:58 am KST

Pope Leo waves after the weekly general audience in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Oct. 28. Reuters-Yonhap

Pope Leo XIV has encouraged young Catholics to bring their "questions and wounds" to World Youth Day 2027, saying he looks forward to meeting them at the international gathering set to be held in Seoul next year.

"Bring to Christ your questions and your wounds but also the wounds that tear apart your societies and set your countries against one another," the pope said in a message released by the Holy See on Tuesday (Vatican time), which was also published in Korean.

"Do not wait until you are perfect before opening yourselves to him. He comes to meet you just as you are. ... Allow yourselves to be united and transformed by his love," he said, highlighting the theme of World Youth Day. "Take courage! I have overcome the world."

The pope noted that the young generation may feel anxious about the future or stressed about appearing perfect, especially under the influence of social media and technology.

He emphasized that technology cannot replace authentic human closeness but can only imitate empathy.

The pope, who is set to visit Korea to preside over the event scheduled from Aug. 3-8, noted that the multinational gathering will be an opportunity for young people from different nations, language and cultures to come together.

"When we gather in Seoul, you will experience in a special way the beauty of the universal Church and the generous hospitality of the Church in Korea," the pontiff said, urging youth to not only make practical arrangements but also prepare their hearts for the upcoming event.

Next year's gathering will mark the first time the Catholic gathering is taking place in Korea and the second time it is held in Asia following the 1995 gathering in Manila. The pope will be visiting Korea for the first time since taking office last year.

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