Yoo In-chon Meets Cardinal Yu Heung-sik, "Government Also Preparing for World Youth Day"

Resolving Budget and Visa Issues... Urging Enactment of Special Legislation

Yoo In-chon, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, announced to Cardinal Yu Heung-sik, Prefect of the Vatican’s Congregation for the Clergy, that the government will also prepare for the 2027 World Youth Day (WYD) to be held in Korea.

Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Yoo In-chon is meeting with Cardinal Yoo Heung-sik, Prefect of the Vatican's Congregation for the Clergy, at the Vatican on the 3rd (local time). [Image source=Yonhap News]

On the 3rd (local time), Minister Yoo said at the Vatican, "Since it is an international event gathering a large population in Seoul, we will discuss budget and other issues and prepare well." World Youth Day is a grand faith festival where Catholic youth from around the world gather in one place.

Pope Francis announced at the closing Mass of the World Youth Day held in Lisbon, Portugal, last August that the next event in 2027 will be held in "Asia, Seoul, Korea." The Catholic Archdiocese of Seoul expects attendance to range from 400,000 to 500,000 at minimum, and up to 700,000 to 800,000 including both domestic and foreign participants, based on the dispatch Mass that will mark the finale.

Cardinal Yu requested government support regarding budget, visas, and other issues. He said, "In other countries, the closing Mass is usually held at the airport, but in Korea, it is difficult to get approval due to security and other reasons," adding, "It is very cautious, but for example, the Gimpo landfill site could be a suitable candidate as it is close to both the airport and Seoul."

Cardinal Yu urged the enactment of a special law related to World Youth Day. Bishop Oh Hyun-joo, Korean Ambassador to the Holy See, said, "A special law might be necessary for comprehensive government support," and added, "This law would serve as a basis to receive assistance from various ministries." Minister Yoo responded, "If the government begins serious discussions, there should be no major problems."