"Pope Leo XIV, Who Visited Korea Four Times in the Past... Humble and Unpretentious"

"Embracing the Cultures of Other Countries"

Pope Leo XIV, who has been elected as the 267th pope, has previously visited Korea on four occasions.

According to the Korean branch of the Order of Saint Augustine on May 9, Pope Leo XIV visited Korea four times: in 2002, 2005, 2008, and 2010. At that time, although the Korean branch was small in scale, it was a base directly under the Superior General, which is believed to have drawn his special attention. Currently, the Korean branch is under the jurisdiction of the Australian Province.

On this day, the Korean branch shared anecdotes from the time when Pope Leo XIV was the Superior General of the order via social networking services (SNS), describing him as "someone who, as a missionary, spent many years recognizing and embracing the cultures of other countries." During his visits to Korea, Leo XIV is said to have visited Bongeunsa Temple in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, where he sat on the floor with Buddhist monks, drank tea, and ate noodles with chopsticks.

The Korean branch added, "He declined the car prepared by the brothers and instead traveled by subway with the younger brothers. At the airport, he personally carried his own luggage, showing himself to be a humble and unpretentious person who did not stand on ceremony. He always took a great interest in the affairs of the Korean community and offered generous advice. He listened attentively and responded warmly to the brothers' questions, always with a gentle smile."

A commemorative photo of Pope Leo XIV taken in 2002 during his visit to Korea as the Superior General of the Order of Saint Augustine, together with monks at the Jeondong Monastery in Incheon. Provided by the Korean branch of the Order of Saint Augustine and Yonhap News Agency.

The branch continued, "We believe that God has sent a shepherd needed for this era," adding, "As the faithful, we must also pray so that our shepherd, Pope Leo XIV, may faithfully carry out the duties entrusted to him by God."

Meanwhile, Pope Leo XIV was elected as the new pope on the second day of the conclave (the secret meeting of cardinals), during the fourth ballot on the afternoon of May 8 (local time). After his election was confirmed, he appeared on the 'Blessing Balcony' of St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican and delivered his first message in Italian: "La pace sia con tutti voi" ("Peace be with you all").

Born in 1955 in Chicago, United States, Pope Leo XIV was ordained as a priest in 1982 and is a member of the Order of Saint Augustine. He served as a missionary in Peru for 20 years, obtained Peruvian citizenship in 2015, and was appointed Archbishop of Peru in the same year.