Pope greets WYD delegates from Portugal and South Korea

Pope Francis during the Angelus accompanied by two Korean young people

Source: Vatican Media

Pope Francis greeted delegations of young people from Portugal and South Korea in Rome on Sunday for the 39th World Youth Day on the Solemnity of Christ the King. The WYD symbols: the Cross and the icon of Mary Salus Populi Romani, were passed from the Portuguese to the Koreans who will host the next world youth gathering in Seoul in 2027.

The Pope encouraged the Korean young people, reminding them that by carrying the Cross in Asia they proclaim the love of Christ for all. He told them: "Have courage! Have the courage to bear witness to the hope that we need more than ever today. There, where these symbols will pass, may the certainty of God's invincible love and fraternity between peoples grow. And for all the young victims of conflicts and wars, may the Cross of the Lord and the icon of Mary Most Holy be of support and consolation."

During the midday Angelus that followed the Mass, the Pope had on either side of him two young Koreans who will take the Cross to Korea in preparation for the 2027 World Youth Day there. The Pope asked everyone in the Square to give them and their delegation a round of applause as well as to the Portuguese young people and delegation who handed over the Cross that featured in the 2023 WYD in Lisbon.

The Pope also noted that on this Sunday of the Solemnity of Christ the King the 39th World Youth Day is being celebrated in the particular Churches, with this year's theme: 'Those who hope in the Lord will run and not be weary' (cf. Is 40:31).

He also shared news he had given recently that on 27 April 2025, during the Jubilee of Teenagers, he will proclaim Blessed Carlo Acutis a Saint. He also added that as the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints has informed him that the process for the cause of Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati is coming to a positive conclusion, he also plans to canonise him on 3 August 2025 during the Jubilee of Youth, following his consultation with the Cardinals. He asked everyone to give a round of applause for the new saints.

Watch the entire Angelus on Vatican YouTube channel here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=hVSjy0Hx9Rs