Seoul: President Lee Jae Myung met with Cardinal Lazzaro You Heung-sik on Monday and expressed hope that Pope Leo XIV might visit North Korea in light of his anticipated attendance at a major Catholic event in South Korea.
According to Yonhap News Agency, during the meeting, Cardinal You stated that Pope Leo XIV is widely expected to visit South Korea for the World Youth Day in 2027. He also conveyed a verbal invitation from the pontiff for President Lee to visit Rome.
"I would like to have the opportunity to meet the Pope before 2027, if possible," Lee said during the meeting at the presidential office. Lee also expressed his hope that the Pope might consider visiting North Korea en route to South Korea as a symbolic gesture to promote peace on the Korean Peninsula.
President Lee emphasized the Catholic Church's interest in peace and stability in the region and expressed hope that the Holy See could play a role in improving inter-Korean relations ahead of 2027.
If confirmed, Pope Leo XIV's trip would make him the third pope to visit South Korea, following the visits of Pope John Paul II and Pope Francis. Monday's meeting was Lee's first official engagement with a religious leader since taking office last month.