Pope Ahead of Seoul Visit: "Looking Forward to Meeting You... Bring Your Questions and Wounds"

Pope Leo XIV expressed anticipation for the World Youth Day (WYD) to be held in South Korea next year, saying today (local time) that he is "greatly looking forward to meeting you in Seoul."

In a Korean-language message for World Youth Day released by the Vatican on this day, Pope Leo XIV stated, "When we gather in Seoul, you will experience the generous hospitality of the Korean Church in a special way."

The Pope encouraged young people around the world to participate in World Youth Day, saying, "Young people from different countries, with different languages and cultures, will gather together, united in Christ."

He added, "Bring your questions and your wounds," and urged, "Bring also the wounds that divide your societies and pit nations against one another."

He also asked them to "let the reality that surrounds you touch and move your hearts."

The Pope offered a message of encouragement for young people suffering from endless competition and an uncertain future, noting, "Many of you live with problems and worries that weigh heavily on your hearts."

Pope Leo XIV said, "You may feel the pressure to succeed and be perfect, and you may feel stressed as you compare yourselves to others or to artificial ideals," adding, "Because of the curated images in the world of social media, it may be difficult to accept who you truly are."

He continued, emphasizing, "In fact, you yearn for true affection, because technology cannot replace genuine human intimacy and can only mimic empathy."

World Youth Day originated to commemorate Pope John Paul II's establishment of the "World Youth Day" in 1985, and has since become an event where the Pope visits various countries around the world to meet with young people starting the following year.

Pope Leo XIV is expected to visit South Korea for the first time since his inauguration to attend the event to be held in Seoul next summer.

(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.