World Youth Day-2027

World Youth Day Seoul 2027 Catholic Pilgrimage

August 1–10, 2027 | Seoul, South Korea
Join Sue Smith Vacations and the Diocese of Little Rock for a pilgrimage of faith, fellowship, and discovery.

World Youth Day is more than an opportunity to travel. It is a chance to experience the Catholic Church in a way few people ever have, surrounded by young Catholics from countries and cultures around the world, united through prayer, worship, and a shared faith. In August 2027, Seoul, South Korea, will welcome the international Catholic community for World Youth Day, taking place August 3–8.

Sue Smith Vacations invites you to join the Diocese of Little Rock for this extraordinary pilgrimage, accompanied by three Arkansas priests and escorted by Kathy Primm of Sue Smith Vacations.

Whether you have attended World Youth Day before or this will be your first international pilgrimage, this journey offers an opportunity to deepen your relationship with Christ, experience the universal Church, and make friendships that extend far beyond the journey itself.

View Pilgrimage Information & Registration

What Makes World Youth Day 2027 Special?

Imagine standing among Catholics from across the globe, hearing prayers spoken in dozens of languages, celebrating Mass together, and realizing that although you may come from different countries, you share the same faith.

That is what makes World Youth Day so remarkable.

Established by St. John Paul II, World Youth Day brings young Catholics together for prayer, catechesis, worship, cultural exchange, and an encounter with the Holy Father.

The 2027 gathering will take place in Seoul, South Korea, marking the first international World Youth Day held on mainland East Asia.

The theme for World Youth Day 2027 is: “Take courage! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

Throughout the celebration, pilgrims will have opportunities to participate in World Youth Day activities, celebrate their faith alongside Catholics from around the world, and experience the remarkable energy of the global Church.

For many pilgrims, it will be their first opportunity to see just how large and diverse the Catholic community truly is.

Travel with the Diocese of Little Rock

International pilgrimages are especially meaningful when you can experience them with people who share your faith.

This World Youth Day pilgrimage will bring together participants traveling with the Diocese of Little Rock, accompanied by Catholic priests from Arkansas and escorted by an experienced travel professional.

The pilgrimage's spiritual leaders are:

Father Brian Cundall: Pastor, Christ the King Catholic Church, Fort Smith, Arkansas

Father Omar Galván: Pastor, St. Augustine Catholic Church, Dardanelle, Arkansas

Father Stephen Hart: Pastor, Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Morrilton, Arkansas

Together, they will accompany pilgrims as they experience World Youth Day and explore the Catholic faith through this international gathering.

Meet Your Travel Host: Kathy Primm

Kathy Primm of Sue Smith Vacations will escort the pilgrimage. With more than 37 years of travel industry experience and more than two decades accompanying Catholic pilgrimages, Kathy brings extensive experience coordinating international faith-based travel.

Her pilgrimage experience includes journeys to Italy, Ireland, France, Spain, Germany, Portugal, and other destinations important to Catholic history and tradition. For a journey involving international flights, group arrangements, and a major global event, having an experienced travel escort provides an important point of contact throughout the trip.

Kathy understands that a pilgrimage is different from an ordinary vacation. The spiritual experience is the purpose of the journey, and the travel arrangements should support that experience.

What Can Pilgrims Experience at World Youth Day?

World Youth Day is an opportunity to participate in the life of the Church on an international scale.

The official celebration is scheduled for August 3–8, 2027. Events are expected to include:

Opening Mass and international gatherings
Prayer, catechesis, and opportunities for spiritual reflection
Youth festivals and cultural encounters
The welcoming ceremony for the Holy Father
The Way of the Cross
Prayer vigil and closing Mass with the Holy Father

Participants will also have the opportunity to experience Seoul, a city where centuries of Korean history exist alongside modern architecture, technology, and culture.

Specific activities and participation arrangements for the Diocese of Little Rock pilgrimage will follow the confirmed itinerary and official World Youth Day schedule.

Why Visit South Korea for a Catholic Pilgrimage?

South Korea may not be the first destination people associate with Catholic pilgrimages, but its Catholic history is extraordinary.

The Korean Catholic Church has a history shaped by lay believers, periods of persecution, and the courage of those who kept their faith despite extraordinary challenges.

Today, South Korea is home to an active Catholic community, historic churches, and sites that honor the Korean martyrs.

World Youth Day 2027 offers an opportunity to experience this part of the Catholic Church while celebrating alongside pilgrims from around the world.

It is a chance to discover a destination many participants might never otherwise visit, but more importantly, to better understand the shared faith that connects Catholics across continents.