From Wednesday, December 17, to Monday, December 22, Cardinal Américo Aguiar, Bishop of the Diocese of Setúbal in Portugal and President of the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) of the 2023 Lisbon World Youth Day (WYD), visited Korea. During his four-night, five-day stay, Cardinal Aguiar shared his reflections on the visit along with the following message of gratitude.

Message from Cardinal Américo Aguiar:

"Upon returning to Portugal, after the intense and meaningful days lived in Seoul, I thank God for the mission of fraternal sharing carried out with the brothers of the Church of Korea in preparation for World Youth Day Seoul 2027. We live these days in the time of Advent, the time of listening, waiting, and trust—the time of St. Joseph.
 

This mission was lived in deep communion with the universal Church and in tune with the teaching of Pope Leo XIV, who challenges us to be a Church that is close, missionary, and attentive to young people, capable of walking together and building bridges of hope. Like Saint Joseph, we are called to move forward without fear, even when not everything is clear, trusting that God leads the steps of those who give themselves to his design.
 

I want to thank, in a very fraternal way, the Archbishop of Seoul and his Auxiliary Bishop for the generous welcome, for the permanent availability, and for the testimony of a pastoral leadership lived with simplicity, closeness, and spirit of service. In them, I recognize something of St. Joseph's attitude: taking care of what God trusts, with daily fidelity, without seeking protagonism, but always putting the mission first.

A very special word for Korean youth, for their firm faith, enthusiasm, and willingness to dream and build. To local volunteers and all those who are already integrated in the various directions of the LOC of WYD Seoul 2027, I leave a word of recognition and gratitude. Your commitment, often discreet and silent, reminds us that faith is built more with gestures than with words and that serving, like Saint Joseph, is a safe path of fruitfulness.
 

I cannot fail to evoke, with deep veneration, the testimony of the Martyrs of Korea. The faith that flourishes on this land today was born from the courageous testimony of laymen, young people, and families who were not afraid to give their lives for Christ. They are the foundation of the Korean Church and remind us that the courage of the Gospel does not make noise but transforms history.

I also thank the Apostolic Nuncio in South Korea for the fraternal proximity and the care with which he accompanies this process, a concrete sign of ecclesial communion. And I thank the Ambassador of Portugal in Seoul for the welcome and constant attention, contributing to strengthening the ties between our peoples, also through this great meeting of youth and faith.
 

I return with the certainty that we walk united in prayer. We pray for each other and entrust this journey to God, certain that it is not we who save the world. As Saint Joseph, we are called to prepare the house, to make room, and to protect and care so that Jesus can be born and find a place in the hearts of so many young people.
 

We put WYD Seoul 2027 under the maternal protection of Mary, Mother of Hope, also entrusting this path to the intercession of St. Joseph, faithful guardian of God's dream, and the Martyrs of Korea, luminous witnesses of a faith lived to the end.
 

May the Lord bless all those who already work, with dedication and generosity, to welcome the whole world in 2027. For our part, you take with you the friendship, gratitude, and prayer of the Church in Portugal."