Seoul: Seoul has launched an official mobile application to help young Catholics prepare for World Youth Day 2027, offering travel guidance, spiritual resources and practical information for those planning to attend the international gathering in South Korea.
The Local Organising Committee for World Youth Day 2027 Seoul, headed by Archbishop Peter Chung Soon taick, introduced the app. It is designed to support pilgrims before they travel and throughout their stay in the country.
Provisionally named WYD 2027, the application is available in Korean and English through the Apple App Store and Google Play. Spanish, French, Portuguese and Italian versions are planned for a later stage. Organizers will select its permanent name through a global naming contest.
The app welcomes users with the message, “Take courage and come to Seoul, a pilgrimage journey we walk together,” accompanied by a countdown to the event. Most of its content can be accessed without creating an account or logging in, making information readily available to those preparing for the journey.
A dedicated preparation section provides guidance on pilgrim kits, spiritual preparation, travel arrangements and available packages. It also introduces basic Korean greetings to help international visitors communicate during their stay.
The application includes practical advice about South Korea's weather during July and August, when pilgrims can expect high humidity, strong ultraviolet exposure, sudden rain and the use of air conditioning indoors. It also provides information about typhoons and other potential weather related challenges.
Travellers can find details about electrical voltage and plug types, packing essentials, emergency alerts and the government's multilingual disaster notification application. Guidance on local customs and public regulations covers topics such as waste disposal, pedestrian crossings, toilets, smoking areas, noise and the handling of lost property.
The Korean language section is intended to make everyday communication easier for international pilgrims. It includes expressions for greetings, farewells, thanking people, apologising and asking for directions. Visitors can also learn phrases commonly used in churches and during Mass, with English pronunciation guides and meanings provided alongside the Korean expressions.
The app also offers resources for those interested in exploring the Catholic heritage of Seoul. Its pilgrimage section introduces the Catholic Seoul Pilgrimage Route, prayers for visits to holy sites and a museum pilgrimage programme.
Pilgrims who visit three designated locations can obtain a completion certificate after verifying their visits through the application. The locations are the Archdiocese of Seoul History Museum at Myeongdong Cathedral, the Seosomun Shrine History Museum at the Seosomun Martyrs’ Shrine and the Korean Martyrs Museum at the Jeoldusan Martyrs’ Shrine.
Unlike most of the app's other features, the visit verification service requires users to register and log in.
A map based guide using Google Maps also helps pilgrims locate shrines, event venues and other facilities. Information on 24 locations is currently available, with a particular focus on pilgrimage sites and museums.
Additional sections introduce World Youth Day, the Catholic Church in Korea, the country's Catholic history and martyrs, Korean culture, public transportation and emergency procedures. These resources are intended to help visitors understand the local environment while preparing for the gathering.
Organizers have said that the application will be updated regularly to provide relevant information before and during the event. Additional services connected to a pilgrim card are also being developed.
World Youth Day 2027 will take place in Seoul from August 3 to 8, 2027. The launch of the application marks a step in preparations to welcome young Catholics from different countries, helping them organise their travel, prepare spiritually and explore the religious and cultural heritage of South Korea.