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President Lee Jae-myung, visiting the Vatican, met Pope Leo XIV on Oct. 15 (local time) and asked the pope to visit South Korea on the occasion of the 2027 Seoul World Youth Day to be held next year. He is also reported to have requested a visit to North Korea to help establish peace on the Korean Peninsula. Expectations are emerging that if the pope's visit to North Korea materializes, it could create new momentum for peace diplomacy on the peninsula.
President Lee, who is touring Europe, held a one-on-one meeting with Pope Leo XIV at the Apostolic Palace, the pope's official residence, attended only by an interpreter. He then met with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican's Secretary of State, and conveyed the Holy See's interest in and constructive role on Korean Peninsula issues.
While the content of meetings with the pope is customarily kept private, the presidential office decided to disclose the main points after prior consultation with the Vatican. National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac said in a briefing at the Rome press center, "President Lee explained the nation's aspiration for peace settlement on the Korean Peninsula and the government's vision, and requested the Holy See's interest and support," adding, "Both sides agreed to cooperate for the successful hosting of the 2027 Seoul World Youth Day."
A senior presidential official said, "In the meeting with the Secretary of State, President Lee explained his position that he would continue various efforts to build trust even amid severed inter-Korean relations," adding, "He conveyed his will to pursue dialogue without losing hope, though it requires time and patience." The official continued, "The issue of the pope's visit to North Korea was also raised." The official explained, "President Lee expressed his expectation for the Catholic Church's contribution and role in peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula," and "Pope Leo XIV responded positively."
Cardinal Lazzaro You Heung-sik, Prefect of the Dicastery for the Clergy at the Holy See, also met with Korean reporters the previous day and said, "Pope Leo XIV expressed his willingness to visit North Korea if invited by Pyongyang." He added, "Efforts for dialogue will never be in vain," and "I hope World Youth Day will be a new turning point." If the pope's visit to North Korea becomes reality, the outlook is that the Seoul World Youth Day, like the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics that opened the door to inter-Korean dialogue, could become an opportunity for change in the Korean Peninsula situation.
However, there are limits to the Holy See's role. With North Korea recently strengthening cooperation with China and Russia, observers point out that substantive progress on Korean Peninsula issues ultimately depends on a change in North Korea's attitude. Previous administrations also pursued peace initiatives on the peninsula through a papal visit to North Korea, but none materialized as North Korea did not extend an official invitation. Reflecting this, Cardinal You also said, "Ultimately, the ball is in North Korea's court." This is why the Holy See expressed encouragement to President Lee for his dialogue efforts and shared the need for patience.
That Leo XIV is the first-ever American pope is cited as a positive variable. Cardinal You also forecast, "If cooperation from the American church and cardinals is achieved, it could play a certain role in improving North Korea and U.S.-North Korea relations more than in the past." Given that the direction of the North Korean nuclear issue and discussions on a peninsula peace regime ultimately depend on U.S.-North Korea relations, the assessment is that an American pope could serve as a bridge connecting the two sides.
Recent U.S. moves are also drawing attention. President Donald Trump, just before reaching a ceasefire agreement between the U.S. and Iran, posted on his social media a photo of himself walking with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un during the 2018 Singapore summit. Some interpret this as revealing an intention to shift the focus of foreign policy back to North Korea after the Middle East issue.
The fact that President Lee and Pope Leo XIV focused on World Youth Day in their meeting also appears to reflect a judgment that it could serve as a stage to remind the international community of the need for peace and dialogue on the Korean Peninsula. World Youth Day is the largest international event with the participation of Catholic youth worldwide; it will be held in Asia for the first time in 32 years and for the first time in a non-Catholic country. Lee Kyu-jung, a research professor at Korea University's Institute for Peace and Democracy, said, "Even if the pope's peace message is unlikely to bring direct change, it is meaningful in reminding people of the need for dialogue and creating an atmosphere."
President Lee presented Pope Leo XIV with a sculpture symbolizing reconciliation and the restoration of community. The presidential office explained that the work, which expresses the biblical story of the "Return of the Prodigal Son" with restrained artistic form, embodies the meaning of compassion and forgiveness for humanity and the restoration of reconciliation and community. He also presented a white porcelain multipurpose vessel symbolizing the values of a priest's poverty and reflection.
