Seoul: With exactly one year remaining before World Youth Day 2027, organizers have unveiled the official hymn that will accompany millions of young Catholics as they prepare for one of the Church's largest international gatherings. The theme song, titled Confidite, Ego Vici Mundum, takes its name from the event's theme, "Take courage! I have overcome the world," drawn from the Gospel of John (16:33).
The hymn will serve as the musical identity of World Youth Day, which is scheduled to take place in Seoul from August 3 to August 8, 2027. Organizers hope the song will inspire young people across the world and strengthen the spirit of faith, unity and hope as they prepare to gather in South Korea.
Designed as a truly international hymn, the song is performed in several languages, including Korean, English, French, Spanish, Portuguese and Italian. The opening lyrics invite listeners with the words, "Come follow me, sleeping heart, wake up and walk," encouraging young people to answer Christ's call with courage and trust.
Two versions of the hymn have been released. One features a traditional orchestral arrangement with a choir, while the other presents a modern pop remix aimed at connecting with younger audiences. Both versions are expected to become familiar to pilgrims in the months leading up to the global event.
The hymn was selected through an international composition contest that invited musicians to create an original work reflecting the World Youth Day theme. The competition received an impressive 434 entries, including 294 submissions from outside South Korea, showing the strong global interest in the event. After the winning composition was chosen, it was submitted to the Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life at the Vatican for official approval.
The winning composition was written by Korean musician Francis Jiyoon Kim, who blended contemporary musical styles with elements of Korea's traditional culture. Sung mainly in Korean, the hymn also features local traditional instruments, giving it a unique sound that reflects the country's heritage while remaining accessible to an international audience.
The accompanying music video highlights many of Seoul's famous landmarks and scenic locations, offering viewers an early glimpse of the city that will welcome hundreds of thousands of young pilgrims in 2027.
As with previous editions of World Youth Day, the main celebration will be preceded by the "Days in the Dioceses" programme. From July 29 to August 2, 2027, pilgrims will stay in fifteen dioceses across South Korea, where they will be welcomed by local parishes and families. The programme is intended to give visitors an opportunity to experience the daily life, faith and culture of the local Church before travelling to Seoul for the main gathering.
World Youth Day Seoul 2027 will be a historic event for several reasons. It will be only the second World Youth Day ever held in Asia, following the gathering in Manila in 1995. It will also be the first time the event is hosted in a country where Catholics are a minority. In South Korea, Catholics make up about 12 percent of the population within a society known for its rich religious diversity.
Preparations are continuing at a rapid pace. Registration for pilgrims is expected to open in October 2026, with different participation packages available depending on the length of stay and the events selected. Organizers are also developing a dedicated mobile application and an integrated logistics system to assist pilgrims throughout their visit.
Accommodation will once again rely heavily on the generosity of local families and parishes. Around 230 parishes in the Archdiocese of Seoul have already begun recruiting and training host families to welcome visitors from around the world and offer them a firsthand experience of Korean Catholic life.
Archbishop Peter Chung Soon taick, Archbishop of Seoul and President of the Local Organizing Committee, said every effort would be made to ensure that World Youth Day Seoul 2027 becomes a celebration of hope and a witness to the hospitality and solidarity of the Korean people. Organizing teams have been working on preparations for the past three years and are now entering the final stage before welcoming hundreds of thousands of young pilgrims. Nearly 30,000 volunteers are expected to take part in the event, with several hundred already actively involved in the planning and preparations.
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