Pope Leo XIV received the President of the Republic of Korea, Lee Jae-myung, in audience this Monday at the Vatican Apostolic Palace. The meeting served to confirm the good state of relations between the Holy See and South Korea, as well as to address preparations for the next World Youth Day, which will be held in Seoul in 2027.
According to a statement released by the Holy See Press Office on June 15, after the audience with the Pontiff, the South Korean leader also held meetings with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State, and with Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with States and International Organizations.
The South Korean leader’s visit was preceded by his participation in a “special Mass for peace and solidarity” celebrated at the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls. In a message posted on his social media before the audience, Lee expressed his desire to reflect in Rome on “the authentic meaning of peace”.
Recognition of the Church’s work in Korea
During the meetings held at the Secretariat of State, both sides highlighted the good relations existing between the Holy See and the Republic of Korea, as well as the contribution that the Catholic Church makes to South Korean society.
The Vatican communiqué notes that special emphasis was placed on the work carried out by the Church in the fields of education and social assistance, sectors in which Catholic institutions play a significant role in the Asian country.
Recalling that the Church in South Korea has become one of the most dynamic Catholic communities in Asia and maintains a relevant presence in education, healthcare, and social action.
World Youth Day Seoul at the center of the conversations
One of the main topics addressed during the visit was the organization of the next World Youth Day, scheduled for 2027 in Seoul.
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The event will bring together hundreds of thousands of young people from around the world and will mark the first World Youth Day held in South Korea. It will also provide an opportunity to showcase the history of Korean Catholicism, marked by the witness of thousands of martyrs and by the remarkable growth of the Church in recent decades.
Thus, the preparation of WYD is a priority both for the local Church and for South Korean authorities, who see the event as an opportunity for international projection for the country.
A visit marked by the message of peace
Before meeting with the Pontiff, Lee took part in a liturgical celebration alongside Cardinal Lazarus You Heung-sik, Prefect of the Dicastery for the Clergy and one of the prominent figures of the Korean Church in Rome.
The South Korean president described the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls as a place that conveys to the world “a message of peace and love” and expressed his gratitude for being able to share that moment with members of the Korean clergy present in the Italian capital.
In the same message, Lee also highlighted the personal closeness of Leo XIV and praised the Pontiff’s spontaneous gestures toward young people. As an example, he mentioned the episode in which the Pope agreed to sign a Pokémon card presented to him by a boy during a public encounter.
According to the leader, “these small acts of kindness and affection bring people closer together and also contribute to making the world more peaceful”.
Attention to the regional and international context
In addition to matters related to the Church in Korea, the conversations addressed various aspects of the regional and international situation.
Although the Holy See’s communiqué provides no further details, the reference to the regional context comes at a time marked by tensions on the Korean Peninsula and by the geopolitical challenges affecting East Asia.
The audience is the first official meeting between Leo XIV and the new South Korean president since the beginning of his mandate, and it confirms the willingness of both parties to continue strengthening the existing cooperation between the Holy See and the Republic of Korea.