Congress held in Rome for young people in preparation for WYD Seoul 2027

Nearly 300 delegates from Episcopal Conferences from 110 countries will meet in Rome (Italy) to participate in the International Congress of Youth Ministry on the theme “For a synodal youth ministry: new leadership styles and strategies”, in preparation for the World Youth Day. Youth (WYD) Seoul 2027.

The meeting is organized by the Dicastery for the Laity, Family and Life and will take place in the Italian capital from May 23 to 25, within the framework of the fifth anniversary of the publication of the Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation Christ lives.

It should be noted that the Vatican Dicastery dedicates this year 2024 to the promotion and dissemination of the Exhortation, published after the Synod on Youth in 2018.

Among the activities launched include a social media campaign through the official WYD accounts, as well as the celebration of the 40th anniversary of the first meeting of young people with the Pontiff in St. Peter’s Square in 1984.

As indicated by the dicastery in a statement, these initiatives, together with numerous diocesan events in various parts of the world, “aim to revitalize youth ministry and provoke spiritual reflection among young people, based on the indications offered by Christ lives”.

Furthermore, this International Youth Ministry Congress proposes three days of study and reflection on a series of topics such as youth leadership, synodality, formation and spiritual accompaniment.

Each topic will be discussed based on an introduction by an expert in the field of pastoral care and will be deepened in exchange groups, following a methodology of spiritual discernment.

Among the speakers are Gustavo Fabián Cavagnari, from Argentina, professor of Youth Ministry at the Salesian Pontifical University; Fr Christopher Ryan MGL, Director of the Areté Center for Missionary Leadership in Australia; and Brenda Noriega, member of the first International Youth Advisory Body, with extensive experience in youth faith formation processes.

The session “From WYD Lisbon 2023 to WYD Seoul 2027” will open on the first day of the Congress, after the introductory greeting by Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Prefect of the Dicastery for the Laity, Family and Life. This session will aim to reflect and evaluate the significant events of World Youth Day Lisbon 2023.

This event will also serve as a bridge to the next WYD celebration to be held in Seoul in 2027. During the session, Cardinal Américo Alves Aguiar, Bishop of Setúbal – (Portugal), and Bishop Peter Soon-Taick Chung, Archbishop of Seoul, will intervene to share their experiences and offer a preview of the expectations and innovations for the next great global youth meeting.

Another important event that will be presented during the Congress will be the Youth Jubilee 2025, scheduled for July 28 to August 3. On this special occasion, the Holy Father will invite young people from all over the world to Rome, exhorting them to be “pilgrims of hope.”

To better illustrate the details of this important event, Monsignor Rino Fisichella, Pro Prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization, will speak, who will present the initiatives and activities planned for the Youth Jubilee.

The Congress will conclude on Saturday, May 25, with participation in the Audience of the Holy Father in the morning, and with an open dialogue with the General Secretariat of the Synod, in particular with the undersecretary, Sister Nathalie Becquart.