The Organizing Committee of World Youth Day (WYD) Seoul 2027 has officially opened the contest for the event’s official hymn — the song that will accompany the encounter between young Catholics and the Pope. The announcement invites musicians and composers from all over the world to contribute an original song that expresses the event’s theme: “Take courage! I have conquered the world” (John 16:33).
Who can participate
Participation is open to everyone, regardless of nationality, region, or religion.
Each composer may submit up to three original songs (lyrics and music).
All musical genres are welcome, as long as the work captures the theme of WYD Seoul 2027.
The permitted languages are the official languages of WYD: Korean, English, Portuguese, Spanish, French, and Italian.
WYD Hymn Contest Schedule
The WYD Seoul Organizing Committee announced that:
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The submission period runs from August 18 to November 30, 2025, until 11:59 p.m. (Korea Standard Time, KST).
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Entries must include an audio file (MP3 or WAV) with a vocal guide, the lyrics, and any other documents required by the contest regulations.
Evaluation and approval criteria
The winning hymn will be submitted to the Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life of the Holy See for approval.
Compositions will be evaluated based on criteria such as:
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Fidelity to the theme “Take courage! I have conquered the world”
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Artistic merit and originality
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Ease of singing, memorization, and emotional impact
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Potential for translation and adaptation into different languages and cultures
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Suitability for various arrangements, choirs, or choreography
The hymn of a World Youth Day is a powerful symbol of the encounter between young people and the Pope. The selected composition will accompany key moments of the event, strengthen the participants’ sense of unity, and remain in the memory of all those who experience WYD Seoul 2027.
Full details regarding requirements, deadlines, and registration procedures can be found on the official poster, application form, and website: https://wydseoul.org/en.
