▲ First Lady Kim Hye-kyung, who is on a state visit to Italy with President Lee Jae-myung, listens to an explanation of the event logo from Monsignor Jung Yeon-jung during a meeting regarding the 2027 Seoul World Youth Day held at the Pontifical Korean College in Rome on the 12th (local time).
First Lady Kim Hye-kyung, who is currently on a state visit to Italy with President Lee Jae-myung, met with priests preparing for the '2027 Seoul World Youth Day' in Rome to offer words of encouragement.
During a meeting held at the Pontifical Korean College in Rome, First Lady Kim said, "The Seoul World Youth Day is a meaningful festival where young people from all over the world, with different nationalities, languages, and cultures, speak of peace and hope with one voice." She added, "I hope that by preparing well for this event, South Korea will become a warm place that embraces young people from around the world as affectionate family and friendly neighbors."
She also expressed empathy for the burden felt by those preparing to welcome youth from across the globe, saying, "As I also have a religion, I remember attending a large gathering when I was a 20-year-old university student, and the city and the prayer intentions from that time still remain in my heart."
She continued, "I can understand why the priests are worried, thinking about how the image of Korea must be positive when young foreigners arrive in a place where the 'water and language are unfamiliar'."
She promised, "Although I am not the person directly in charge of administration, I am in a position where I can convey messages, so if you tell me about the difficult parts or areas where you need government support, I will make sure to pass them on effectively."
During the meeting, First Lady Kim listened to the participants as they explained the significance and expectations of the World Youth Day, as well as the support they require from the government.
When a student studying theology in Rome mentioned that the youth gathering would help young people overcome problems such as the 'severing of relationships' and discover their inner conscience, First Lady Kim encouraged them by saying, "Listening to your remarks, I feel a sense of relief, as if something blocked has been cleared away."
World Youth Day is a large-scale Catholic event held every two to three years in different continents to promote pilgrimage and fellowship among young people worldwide. The next event is scheduled to be held across Seoul in August of next year.
Pope Leo XIV is also expected to attend.
(Photo: Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.