Greeting to Portuguese and South Korean delegations

At the conclusion of the Mass celebrated in Saint Peter’s Basilica for the Solemnity of Christ the King, Pope Francis greeted young people present from around the world, in particular the delegation from Portugal which hosted the most recent World Youth Day gathering in 2023, and the South Korean delegation which will host the next gathering in Seoul 2027. The Holy Father reminded the Korean youth that by carrying the Cross in Asia they proclaim the love of Christ to all. The following is the English text of the Pope’s words.

I would like to greet all of the young people present today, and those around the world, especially the delegation from Portugal, where last year’s World Youth Day took place, and the delegation from South Korea, which will organise the next one in Seoul in 2027. Soon the Portuguese youth will hand over the symbols of wyd — the Cross and the icon of Mary Salus Populi Romani — to the Korean youth. These symbols were entrusted to young people by Saint John Paul ii so that they could take them around the world.

And you, dear young Koreans, now it is your turn! By carrying the Cross in Asia you proclaim the love of Christ to all. Take courage! Have the courage to bear witness to the hope that we need more than ever. Wherever these symbols go, may the certainty of God’s unfailing love and fraternity between peoples spread and grow. For all the young victims of conflicts and wars, may the Cross of Our Lord and the icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary be a source of support and consolation.