It is expected that Leo XIII (Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost), elected as the 267th pope, will visit South Korea in 2027, two years later. This will be the fourth visit by a pope to South Korea.
The scheduled visit of Leo XIII, who was just elected as pope, stems from the earlier decision by Pope Francis during the World Youth Day (WYD) held in Lisbon, Portugal, in August 2023, to hold the next event in 2027 in Seoul.
The WYD, a major festival for Catholic youth, is an event where the pope meets with young people. It became an official event in 1986, following the invitation extended by Pope John Paul II, who was the 264th pope, to young people from various countries in 1984 and 1985.
Since the inaugural event was held in Rome, the WYD has taken place every 2 to 3 years. The event is held between July and August, and the location changes each time. It has become customary for the pope to meet with young people at the location, and even if the pope changes in the interim, the schedule remains unchanged.
If Leo XIII comes to South Korea, it will be recorded as the fourth papal visit to the country. The first visit by a pope was in 1984 when Pope John Paul II came. He then visited South Korea again in 1989, and in 2014, Pope Francis visited. This will mark a visit after 13 years.
As the WYD and the papal visit draw the attention of the global Catholic community, this is expected to enhance South Korea's status in the international arena.
Leo XIII is expected to deliver a message aimed at the international community from Seoul. Additionally, attention is focused on whether the papal visit to North Korea, which was not realized during Pope Francis's tenure, will be revived.