"Korea, Seoul."
Launched in 1984 by Pope John Paul II to boost faith among youth, the grand festival is a gathering of Catholic youth from around the world.
Those attending the week-long event will hold exchanges with fellow Catholic youth to reflect on their faith, discuss social issues, and take part in culture and art programs. This event has drawn the international spotlight since every pope since John Paul II to Francis has attended.
At a news conference on the same day at the media center of World Youth Day in Lisbon, a representative from the Archdiocese of Seoul said, "We truly thank Pope Francis for selecting Seoul in the Republic of Korea as the host city of World Youth Day," adding, "We're very happy and consider it an honor to meet youth from around the world in Seoul."
"Since ours will be the second World Youth Day in Asia after the Philippines, we will closely work with the Vatican, the Republic of Korea government, Seoul Metropolitan Government and regional entities to fully pass on the event's spirit of universality and achieve unity through the continent's abundant and diverse cultures."
