From Lisbon to Seoul: A Journey Towards a Courageous, Respectful and Peaceful Future

As part of the 17th edition of the Festival of Diplomacy, the John Paul II Youth Foundation organized an event at Villa Lusa, the headquarters of the Embassy of Portugal to the Holy See, entitled "From Lisbon to Seoul: A Journey Towards a Courageous, Respectful and Peaceful Future".

The initiative, held on 30 October 2026, brought together young people and members of the Diplomatic Corps accredited to the Holy See. It was an opportunity for dialogue during which several young participants shared, drawing on their own experiences, the importance of World Youth Day (WYD).

"WYDs are born out of an act of listening and trust: young people from different nations, languages and cultures discover a universal brotherhood. In Lisbon, Pope Francis reminded us that 'there is room for everyone in the Church' and invited us to repeat: 'Todos, todos, todos'. No one is useless or superfluous; no one should feel excluded. That 'everyone' is a guiding principle for youth ministry, for society and also for diplomacy: fraternity does not leave behind those with fewer resources, fewer opportunities or a more vulnerable background," stated the President of the Foundation, lawyer Daniele Bruno.

Furthermore, Bruno emphasized that on 2 August 2027, on the eve of the next World Youth Day, which will take place in the Korean capital in August of the following year, the Foundation will organize the fifth WYD Conference at the Catholic University of Korea, entitled "Young People and Fraternity: The Challenge of Courageous Co-Responsibility". The event will address "peace, care for creation, the promotion of life and social friendship, the economy, mental health and scientific research".

For her part, the Ambassador of Portugal to the Holy See, Maria Amélia Paiva, who followed the Lisbon WYD, renewed her invitation to young people to become "artisans of peace and diplomats of hope", not mere spectators, but protagonists. She recalled the concept of "everyday diplomacy", through which the Church invites young people to learn "the delicate art of diplomacy and the craft of reconciliation", grounded in the inviolable rights of the human person, freedom and the rule of law. This diplomacy translates into concrete gestures: "when they promote forgiveness within their own communities, when they use social media to disarm hate speech and when they reach out to those who are different". She concluded with an appeal: "Do not bury your talents. Be authentic peacemakers. Ambassadors of harmony".

For his part, the Ambassador of Korea to the Holy See, Hyung-sik Shin, emphasized the importance of the upcoming WYD, which will be "an authentic synodal journey that welcomes young people as the 'now' of the Church and as active companions walking together". In his view, the event will offer the universal Church "a living testimony of faith, concretely demonstrating how the Gospel has become inculturated, with grace and beauty, within Asia's rich cultural heritage".

Articles published on Vatican News:

From Lisbon to Seoul: Conference examines WYD’s role in building peace

Da Lisbona a Seul, il ruolo delle Gmg e dei giovani nella costruzione della pace

De Lisboa a Seul: conferência debate o papel da JMJ na construção da paz