President Lee Jae-myung invited Pope Leo XIV to visit Korea next year, the presidential office said Monday.
Wi Sung-lac, director of the National Security Office who is accompanying Lee on his state visit to Italy, announced this at a briefing held at a press center in a Rome hotel. "President Lee made an official visit to the Vatican yesterday and today," Wi said. "Yesterday morning, he attended a special Mass for peace and solidarity and delivered a commemorative speech."
He explained that, marking the 26th anniversary of the June 15 Inter-Korean Joint Declaration, Lee "expressed his conviction that the spark of hope the June 15 Declaration left for peace on the Korean Peninsula remains alive."
"Today, he held a one-on-one meeting with Pope Leo XIV and also met with Secretary of State Pietro Parolin," Wi said. "He conveyed to the Pope our people's aspiration for peace policy on the Korean Peninsula and our government's vision, and reaffirmed the Vatican's unwavering support and interest in peace and reconciliation on the Korean Peninsula."
In particular, "President Lee and the Pope agreed to cooperate closely for the successful hosting of the 2027 Seoul World Youth Day," Wi said. "President Lee respectfully invited Pope Leo XIV to visit Korea."
