World Youth Day Seoul 2027 official hymn unveiled

The Catholic Church has released the official hymn for World Youth Day 2027, to be held in Seoul, South Korea from 3‑8 August 2027. The song, titled “Confidite, Ego Vici Mundum” (Latin for “Take Courage, I Have Overcome the World”), is based on John 16:33 and will be sung in several languages, including Korean, English, French, Spanish, Portuguese and Italian. It was composed by South Korean musician Francis Jiyoon Kim after winning an international contest that received 434 submissions, 294 of them from outside Korea. Two versions have been produced – a classical orchestral‑choral arrangement and a contemporary pop remix – and a music video showcases Seoul’s landmarks.

The hymn aligns with the WYD 2027 theme “Take Courage, I Have Overcome the World” and will accompany the year‑long preparation activities, catechesis sessions and pilgrim gatherings worldwide. The event will be the first World Youth Day hosted in a country where Catholics are a minority (about 12 % of the population) and the second WYD in Asia after Manila 1995. Local organizers are led by Archbishop Peter Soon‑taick Chung, with Bishop Paul Kyung‑Sang Lee as general coordinator and Bishop Job Yobi Koo as episcopal coordinator.