Religious Communities Send Congratulations on Election of Pope... "Wishing for Peace and Hope Around the World"

Congratulatory Messages from Catholic, Buddhist, Cheondogyo, and Won Buddhist Communities

With the recent election of Pope Leo XIV, religious communities in Korea are issuing congratulatory messages in succession.

Pope Leo XIV. Yonhap News

First, Archbishop Chung Soon-taek of the Seoul Archdiocese of the Catholic Church expressed his gratitude on May 9, saying, "I deeply thank God for sending us a new shepherd to lead us, His Holiness Pope Leo XIV, the 267th pope." He added, "I pray that the new pope, elected under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, will succeed Apostle Peter in revealing God's will to the world and lead the entire Church with the light of humility, love, truth, and justice."

On the same day, Ven. Jinwoo, President of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, stated, "I pray that compassion and wisdom will accompany you on your sacred mission," and added, "Together with all Buddhists in Korea, I sincerely congratulate you on your election as pope."

He continued, "Just as your first message, 'May peace be with you all,' I hope that the spirit of peace and solidarity, which seeks to draw closer to those who suffer, will spread widely throughout the world." He emphasized, "I also hope that the prayers of the Catholic Church and Pope Leo XIV will always be with all of humanity and, in particular, bring great hope and comfort to the Korean Peninsula, the only divided nation in the world, in its pursuit of peace."

Na Sangho, Head Dharma Master of Won Buddhism, offered congratulations in a message, stating, "I wish for peace and hope to fill the lives of all Catholics and people around the world."

He remarked that the election of the first American pope "will remain a new milestone for world religions embracing the changes and diversity of our times." He added, "I believe that Pope Leo XIV will carry on the spirit of peace, love, and care for the socially disadvantaged left by Pope Francis, and will play a significant role in promoting unity and peace for humanity."

The Central Headquarters of Cheondogyo stated, "We sincerely pray for the special inspiration of Hanullim (the term for God in Cheondogyo) on the apostolic journey of Pope Leo XIV."

They added, "We deeply resonate with the pope's declaration of peace as his first message, and we hope that his words will become a milestone of peace and harmony for everyone around the world."

The National Council of Churches in Korea expressed in a statement, "We congratulate the global Catholic Church on the election of the 267th pope. We especially thank Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, the new pope, for delivering a message of peace in his first address, calling for all people of the world to come together in peace." They continued, "In this era marked by war and various crises, we hope that churches around the world will walk together on the path of life and peace."