World Youth Day 2027: Seoul, South Korea

“Take courage! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington invites youth and young adults to join our official archdiocesan delegation to World Youth Day (WYD) 2027 in Seoul, South Korea.

Established by Saint John Paul II, World Youth Day is the largest regular gathering of young people on earth. Called by Pope Leo XIV, millions of young Catholics will gather in East Asia for a life-changing, week-long global witness of faith. This historic gathering marks the first time WYD will be hosted in a Christian-minority country, offering our pilgrims a unique opportunity to encounter the vibrant faith and history of the Korean martyrs.

REGISTER TODAY!

Core Pilgrimage Details  |  Registration & Resources  |  Proposed 10-Day Itinerary  |  What the Package Includes  |  Safe Environment & Chaperone Info (For Youth Groups)  |  Fundraising & Prep Support  |  WYD Seoul Fun Facts  |  Official International Resources

Core Pilgrimage Details

  • Pilgrimage Dates: July 31 – August 9, 2027 (10-Day Itinerary)
  • Who Can Participate: High-school-aged youth (ages 16–18) and young adults (ages 18–35).
  • Estimated Cost: $5,400 – $5,600 per person (based on double occupancy).
  • Registration Deadline: November 30, 2026 (Space is strictly limited!)
  • Deposit: $750 non-refundable deposit due at the time of registration.

Registration & Resources

Proposed 10-Day Itinerary

The Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry has structured an all-inclusive itinerary combining the core global WYD events with unique local excursions:

  • Saturday: Depart Newark or JFK for an overnight international flight to South Korea.
  • Sunday: Arrive in Seoul, meet our English-speaking guides, check into the hotel, and gather for Mass and a group dinner.
  • Monday: Morning excursion to the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ); return to Seoul mid-afternoon for open time to explore the city.
  • Tuesday: Morning free to explore Seoul; attend the official World Youth Day Opening Mass in the afternoon.
  • Wednesday – Friday: Morning catechesis followed by evening cultural events. Thursday features the Official Welcome of the Holy Father, and Friday includes the Stations of the Cross with Pope Leo XIV.
  • Saturday: Proposed special ADW group event with His Eminence Cardinal McElroy, probable Mass with other U.S. pilgrims, followed by the vigil.
  • Sunday: Concluding Closing Mass with the Holy Father, a free afternoon to rest, and an ADW farewell group dinner.
  • Monday: Morning Mass and departure for the United States.

What the Package Includes

Your all-inclusive pilgrimage fee covers the following logistics managed by Dube travel and local Korean staff:

  • Roundtrip airfare from DC area airports
  • Roundtrip airport transportation in Seoul
  • Official World Youth Day solidarity registration package
  • 8 nights of hotel accommodations in Seoul (with daily hotel breakfast and taxes included)
  • Panoramic half-day tour
  • A special group farewell dinner
  • Guided excursion to the DMZ
  • Services of Dube and Korean staff and guides

Note: Pilgrimage activities will feature opportunities to gather as one unified ADW family, alongside tailored tracks featuring separate experiences optimized for youth/chaperones and young adults.

Safe Environment & Chaperone Info (For Youth Groups)

To ensure the safety of our youngest pilgrims, all youth participants must travel within an organized group adhering to the following strict protection policies:

  • Training: All adult chaperones must be fully cleared and safe-environment trained according to archdiocesan policy.
  • Small Groups (Under 8 Youth): A minimum of 2 chaperones is strictly required.
  • Large Groups (8+ Youth): Groups must maintain a strict 1:4 chaperone-to-minor ratio.

Pilgrimage activities will include opportunities to gather as one ADW pilgrimage group, as well as separate experiences for youth and chaperones and for young adults.

Fundraising & Prep Support

Parish groups are highly encouraged to organize local fundraisers early to offset cost barriers. To get creative ideas for your youth group, read the Catholic Standard newspaper feature stories detailing successful fundraising efforts launched by parishes across the archdiocese.

WYD Seoul Fun Facts

  • This is the first World Youth Day in East Asia since the historic Manila gathering in 1995.
  • It will stand as the largest gathering of Catholics in the 250-year history of the Korean Church.

Official International Resources

 

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If you would like to receive more information, please contact the Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry.