Lee Jae Myung Meets with Cardinal You Heung Sik on the 7th
Discusses Possible Papal Visit to North Korea and Inter-Korean Peace
President Lee Jae Myung is greeting Cardinal You Heung Sik, Prefect of the Vatican Dicastery for the Clergy, who is visiting Korea, at the Yongsan Presidential Office Building in Seoul on the 7th. Photo by Yonhap News
President Lee Jae Myung met with Cardinal You Heung Sik on the 7th. President Lee said that after hearing from Cardinal You about Pope Leo XIV's planned visit to Korea in 2027, he thought it might be a good idea for the Pope to also visit North Korea. Cardinal You also expressed his hope that the Pope could be seen together with President Lee and National Defense Commission Chairman Kim Jong Un.
The meeting between President Lee and Cardinal You took place in the president's office on the second floor of the Yongsan Presidential Office Building that day. President Lee asked Cardinal You about the Catholic World Youth Day to be held in Korea in 2027 and whether the Pope would visit. Cardinal You replied that, barring any special circumstances, "of course he will come." In response, President Lee suggested, "I was thinking that perhaps he could also stop by North Korea on his way. The Pope has a great interest in peace on the Korean Peninsula."
Cardinal You added, "I wrote a summary to give you, and I was going to provide a more detailed explanation as well," and continued, "I wrote that it would be wonderful if, when Pope Leo visits Korea in 2027, there could be a photo of President Lee and Chairman Kim Jong Un together with the Pope."
President Lee went on to say, "The Catholic Church is showing particular interest in the peace of the Republic of Korea and the stability of the Korean Peninsula," and emphasized, "Even before then, I hope the Vatican can make a special contribution and play a role in improving inter-Korean relations."
Meanwhile, Cardinal You conveyed Pope Leo XIV's invitation to the Vatican to President Lee verbally. President Lee responded, "If possible, I would like to have an opportunity to pay a visit to the Pope before he comes to Korea in 2027."
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