Join the Archdiocese of Philadelphia
A Catholic Pilgrimage to South Korea for World Youth Day 2027
August 1 – 10, 2027
$4190 per person, plus airfare (TBD)
SPACE IS LIMITED – REGISTER BY JULY 1, 2026
This 10-day pilgrimage brings young adults from the Archdiocese of Philadelphia to the heart of it all. You will experience the transformative events of World Youth Day — Stations of the Cross, Prayer Vigil, Closing Mass with Pope Leo XIV and more — alongside hundreds of thousands of young Catholics from around the world. Between events, you’ll walk the ground where Korean martyrs shed their blood, stand at the burial place of St. Andrew Kim Dae-geon, and experience the beauty of Korean culture from ancient palaces to traditional hanok villages.
In the 18th and 19th centuries, thousands of Korean Catholics were martyred for their faith during some of the most brutal persecutions in Church history. Today, South Korea is home to nearly six million Catholics, and in August 2027, it will welcome the universal Church for World Youth Day in Seoul. The Providence of God fills us with hope, and that is why we venture to World Youth Day in Seoul in August of 2027.
Every logistical detail is handled so you can focus on the pilgrimage: private motorcoach transportation, bilingual English/Korean guides, a dedicated ProRome tour manager on every bus, daily Mass at historic Korean churches, and a meal plan. Whether this is your first pilgrimage or your tenth, this is a once-in-a-generation journey you won’t want to miss.
Registration Code: WYD2027
Trip Highlights
WYD with Pope Leo XIV
Experience the joy of World Youth Day 2027: the Welcome Ceremony, Stations of the Cross, Prayer Vigil, and Closing Papal Mass celebrated by Pope Leo XIV.
A Metropolis of Martyrs
Trace the footsteps of the Korean martyrs through Seoul’s most sacred sites — Jeoldusan Martyr’s Shrine, Saenamteo Holy Place, and Yakhyeon Catholic Church. Journey to Jeonju to visit Jeondong Catholic Cathedral, built on the execution site of Korean martyrs.
St. Andrew Kim Dae-geon
Travel to Mirinae Holy Site in Anseong to visit the sacred burial ground of St. Andrew Kim Dae-geon — Korea’s first Catholic priest and martyr, beheaded at just 25 years of age — alongside his mother Ursula and Bishop Ferréol, who ordained him.
Experience South Korea
Explore the grandeur of Gyeongbokgung Palace, built in 1395 and the largest royal palaces. Stroll through streets of Bukchon Hanok Village and Jeonju Hanok Village, and enjoy a free day to discover Seoul’s markets, cuisine, and modern neighborhoods.
Spiritual Leaders
Mrs. Andrea Hall
Associate Director Office for Ministry with Young Adults
Fr. Timothy Tarnacki
Director of the Office for Ministry with Young Adults
Rev. Stephen P. DeLacey
Vicar, Faith Formation for Youth and Young Adults
Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez
Archbishop of Philadelphia
Airfare Information
Airfare will be arranged once we are within 11 months of the tour departure date (which is when group flight booking becomes available). All flights depart from Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) and arrive at Incheon International Airport (ICN) in Seoul. Final routing, pricing, and availability will be confirmed approximately 11 months before departure. Below are estimated flight options based on current market conditions. Note that these options will likely not be available and the cost is subject to change at the time of booking. We recommend budgeting up to $2500 per person for flights to/from Seoul.
Option 1: One-Stop via Chicago (ORD) Estimated Price: $1,800 – $2,160 per person (economy) Carrier: United Airlines / Korean Air
Option 2: One-Stop via San Francisco (SFO) Estimated Price: $1,920 – $2,280 per person (economy) Carrier: United Airlines / Asiana Airlines
TRIP DETAILS
Pricing, Payments & Cancellation
IMPORTANT ACTION ITEMS
Planning Checklist
Registration
In order to register, click "Register Now" on the top of this webpage and follow the prompts on the form.
Passports - Upload or Apply Today
After registering we will send you a link to upload your passport. If you do not have a valid passport you must apply ASAP. It can take up to three months for new and renewed passports to arrive. Passports must be valid six (6) months AFTER the date of return to the USA.
Purchase Travel Insurance
ProRome Tours will send you an insurance quote as soon as you register. We strongly suggest that everyone purchase travel insurance.
Prepare Physically
We recommend that pilgrims start walking to prepare for the physical demands of this pilgrimage. We will take the bus whenever possible, but this trip will include days in which we will walk up to 12 miles, especially the overnight Vigil.
Pre-Trip Video
Approximately two months before departure, ProRome Tours will send a preparatory pre-trip video to all participants regarding their pilgrimage.
Welcome Boxes
Approximately one month before departure, ProRome Tours will send welcome boxes to all trip participants. Items include: name tags, luggage tags, final detailed itineraries and more.
Final Trip Information
Two weeks before departure, ProRome Tours will email each pilgrim the final trip information, which will include the final detailed itineraries, the rooming lists, the e-ticket numbers for your flights (if booked through ProRome) and any other pertinent trip information.
Additional Trip Information
Trip Patron
St. Andrew Kim Dae-geon was just 25 years old when he was beheaded for the faith in 1846, becoming Korea’s first native Catholic priest and martyr. Ordained in Shanghai after years of secret study and perilous journeys across the sea, he returned to his homeland knowing full well that proclaiming Christ meant death — and he chose it willingly, saying to the faithful gathered at his execution, “This is my last hour of life; listen to me attentively.” His witness ignited a flame that no persecution could extinguish, and today nearly six million Korean Catholics stand as living proof that the blood of the martyrs is truly the seed of the Church.
