KOREAN NET

Seoul Archbishop Peter Chung Soon-taick (left), chairman of the organizing committee for the 2027 World Youth Day in Seoul, and Cardinal Kevin Farrell, prefect of the Vatican's Dicastery for the Laity, Family and Life, on Sept. 24 hold a news conference at St. Pius X Hall in Vatican City to announce the slogan and logo for the Seoul event. (Seoul Archdiocese)

By Margareth Theresia

"Take courage. I have overcome the world."

The Holy See Press Office on Sept. 24 at St. Pius X Hall in Vatican City released at a news conference the slogan and logo for Seoul's hosting of the 2027 World Youth Day (WYD) chosen by Pope Francis.

"The logo was inspired by the lines in the national treasure painting 'Inwang Jesaekdo (Scene of Inwangsan Mountain after Rain) by Jeong Seon (pen name Gyeomjae), and 'Seoul' was written in the style of traditional Korean calligraphy," the Seoul Archdiocese said. "The letters W, Y and D are found in the word 'Seoul,' representing harmonious unity between East and West."

Launched in 1984 by Pope John Paul II, WYD is a festival that attracts Catholic youth from around the world. Seoul will host the 2027 edition in August that year.

The official logo of the 2027 World Youth Day in Seoul has a main (left) and simplified version. (Seoul Archdiocese)

Earlier, a mosaic of the Virgin Mary wearing Hanbok (traditional clothing) was installed for the first time on Vatican walls. Based on a work by artist Shim Soon-hwa, the work was unveiled at a blessing ceremony on Sept. 20 at the Vatican Gardens.

"Our Lady of Peace Korean" is a work 100 cm wide and 150 cm long depicting the Virgin Mary and baby Jesus wearing Hanbok. She is shown holding her child, who holds Earth in his hands to symbolize hope for world peace.

The Korean Embassy in the Holy See in Rome through Sept. 28 hosts Korean Culture Week, having begun events on Sept. 24 to expand friendly cooperation in culture between Korea and the Vatican. The programs include performances by Korean artists in Rome, an exhibition of Hanji (traditional paper) art, class for making gimbap (seaweed rice rolls) and movie screening.

The blessing ceremony for the mosaic "Our Lady of Peace Korean" on Sept. 20 is held at the Vatican Gardens. (Yonhap News)

margareth@korea.kr