On August 6, 2023, youth from around the world – including a group of pilgrims from the St. John-St. Paul Collaborative – joined Pope Francis for the closing Mass of WYD Lisbon 2023. As is tradition, the Holy Father announced the next World Youth Day that morning:
The next World Youth Day will take place in Asia – in South Korea, in Seoul in 2027!
Thus, from the western border of Europe it will move to the Far East.
This is a marvelous sign of the Church’s universality and of the dream of unity to which you bear witness!
-Pope Francis
Theme: Take courage! I have overcome the world!
Pope Francis chose John 16:33 as the theme for World Youth Day Seoul 2027. This verse, spoken by Jesus to his disciples at the Last Supper, reminds us of the irrevocable truth that despite the challenges of the world, Christ has already conquered fear, sin, and death. It is a call to hope and courage rooted in faith in the resurrection—not a passive optimism, but a bold confidence grounded in the living presence of Christ.
Young people across the globe today are confronted with a wide range of challenges, including conflicts, economic hardship, and an uncertain future. Thankfully, at WYD Seoul 2027, they can receive the joy of becoming the “salt of the earth and the light of the world.” Through their encounters with one another they will experience unconditional love, thereby gaining the strength to be sent back out into the world as “pilgrims of hope” and “courageous missionaries,” boldly putting into practice the joy of the Gospel they have discovered.
SJSP Youth Ministry Pilgrimmage to WYD Seoul: July 30 – August 9, 2027
For almost two decades, high schoolers (age 16 and older) from the SJSP community have made the pilgrimmage to World Youth Day. We’ve been to Germany, Australia, Spain, Brazil, Poland, and Portugal, and we are excited to bring a group to the first World Youth Day in Asia. We would love to have YOU join us!
Please fill out our interest form (don’t worry, it’s not a commitment!) so we can share with you all of the exciting updates we’ll have in the coming months! WYD Seoul 2027 Interest Form
Tentative Itinerary
- Friday, July 30: Depart Boston
- Saturday, July 31: Arrive Seoul mid to late afternoon, check in to hotel, dinner
- Sunday, August 1: Mass, visit to Gyeongbokgung Palace
- Monday, August 2: Visit to DMZ, explore Seoul in the evening
- Tuesday, August 3: Morning group activities, Opening Mass later in the afternoon
- Wednesday, August 4: Catechesis and WYD events
- Thursday, August 5: Catechesis in the morning, Papal arrival in the afternoon
- Friday, August 6: Catechesis in the morning, Stations of the Cross in the afternoon
- Saturday, August 7: Morning departure for the vigil site, evening Vigil with Holy Father
- Sunday, August 8: Closing Mass with Holy Father, farewell celebration
- Monday, August 9: Return to Boston
Estimated Base Cost: $5,250 per person
Base Cost Includes:
- Roundtrip Airfare
- Roundtrip airport transportation in Seoul
- WYD Registration (includes meals during WYD event days)
- Visit to DMZ
- Panoramic half day tour
- 9 nights in Seoul
- Hotel taxes
- Breakfast daily at hotel
- Farewell dinner
- Services of Dube Travel & Korean staff and guides
We hope to be able to partially offset the cost of the trip through fundraising over the course of the next 15 months.