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

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SEOUL, Nov. 4 (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.

This Reuters photo, carried on Oct. 28, 2026, shows Pope Leo XIV waving at St. Peter's Square at the Vatican. (Yonhap)

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

The pope, who is set to visit South 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 South Korea and the second time it is held in Asia following the 1995 gathering in Manila. The pope will be visiting South Korea for the first time since taking office last year.

mlee@yna.co.kr (END)

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

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首尔，11月4日（韩联社）——教宗良十四世鼓励年轻的天主教徒将他们的“疑问和伤痛”带到2027年世界青年日，并表示他期待在明年于首尔举行的国际聚会上与他们见面。

教宗在周二（梵蒂冈时间）由圣座发布的一份声明中说：“把你们的疑问和伤痛带到基督面前，也要把那些撕裂你们社会、使你们国家相互敌对的伤痛带到基督面前。”该声明也以韩语发表。

“不要等到自己完美无缺才向他敞开心扉。他来迎接的，正是你们本来的样子……让你们因他的爱而合一，并被他的爱所改变，”他强调了世界青年日的主题。“鼓起勇气！我已经战胜了世界。”

教宗指出，年轻一代可能会对未来感到焦虑，或者因为想要显得完美而感到压力，尤其是在社交媒体和科技的影响下。

这张路透社照片刊登于2026年10月28日，照片显示教皇利奥十四世在梵蒂冈圣彼得广场挥手致意。（韩联社）

他强调，科技无法取代真实的人与人之间的亲密关系，只能模仿同理心。

教宗将于8月3日至8日访问韩国，主持此次活动。他指出，这次多国聚会将为来自不同国家、语言和文化的年轻人提供一个相聚的机会。

教宗说：“当我们齐聚首尔时，你们将以一种特别的方式体验到普世教会的美丽和韩国教会的慷慨好客。”他敦促青年们不仅要做好实际安排，还要为即将到来的盛会做好心灵准备。

明年的大会将是天主教世界大会首次在韩国举行，也是继1995年马尼拉大会之后第二次在亚洲举办。教宗也将自去年就任以来首次访问韩国。

mlee@yna.co.kr (完)

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