President Lee asks for Vatican's role for peace on Korean Peninsula

President Lee Jae Myung today met with Cardinal Lazzaro You Heung-sik, the Vatican’s minister of clergy,... at his office in Yongsan,... where they discussed cooperation between South Korea and the Vatican for peace on the Korean Peninsula.

"The Catholic church is paying special attention to peace for the Republic of Korea and stability on the Korean Peninsula. I hope the Vatican makes a special contribution to and plays a role in improving inter-Korean relations."

Pope Leo XIV is scheduled to visit Seoul in 2027 to attend World Youth Day.

Lee added that he hoped the pope could stop by North Korea in time with his trip to Seoul... and the cardinal responded he wished to see President Lee taking a photo with Chairman Kim Jong-un given that opportunity.

Cardinal You also delivered the pope's invitation for the South Korean leader to visit Rome... while President Lee thanked the church for its role in restoring South Korea's democracy.

The cardinal is the first religious leader President Lee has met since his inauguration.