President Lee Jae Myung (center) enters the Apostolic Palace for talks with Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican on Monday. (Yonhap)
President Lee Jae Myung on Monday met with Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican, on the second leg of his Europe visit. He was scheduled to depart for France later in the day, where he will attend the G7 meeting.
After his audience with the pope, Lee was to subsequently meet Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin.
Lee held his first talks with the pope since his inauguration in June 2025. The last meeting between a South Korean president and the pope was when President Moon Jae-in met later Pope Francis in October 2021.
The pope is expected to travel to Seoul to attend World Youth Day, a global gathering of young Catholics, in August 2027.
Speculation has already started in Korea that the pope could meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un on the occasion of his visit to the peninsula, which remains technically at war since the 1950-53 Korean War ended in an armistice, in line with the Lee administration's pursuit of a thaw in inter-Korean relations.
Lee has sought to reverse course after the inter-Korean relationship soured during the term of his disgraced predecessor Yoon Suk Yeol.
Should Leo land in North Korea, he would be the first pope to do so. Despite Moon's requests for Pope Francis to visit Pyongyang, tentative plans in 2018 and 2021 did not materialize.
Lee's visit to Vatican City came on the occasion of his state visit to Italy, which started Wednesday.
At a special Mass on Sunday in the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls, which is owned by the Holy See and located in Rome, Lee thanked the Holy See for "unwavering support and continued attention" to the road to lasting peace on the Korean Peninsula.
"Together with all who share this vision, we will strive to transcend borders and ideologies, race and culture. ... We will fulfill our shared responsibility to leave peace as a common inheritance to all humanity," Lee said in his speech Sunday.
"I sincerely hope that we can create a virtuous cycle in which peace on the Korean Peninsula leads to peace in the world, and the solidarity of the world, in turn, helps secure peace on the Korean Peninsula."
In a separate event, Lee reiterated his commitment to peace on the Korean Peninsula.
In remarks to mark the 26th anniversary of the June 15 South-North Joint Declaration, Lee pledged continued efforts to engage North Korea, saying peaceful coexistence was the only path to mutual prosperity.
The remarks, read by presidential chief of staff Kang Hoon-sik, were delivered at an event marking the anniversary in Seoul.
The declaration was adopted by the two Koreas in 2000, after summit talks between President Kim Dae-jung and North Korea's Kim Jong-il.
According to Cheong Wa Dae, Lee presented Leo with a sculpture of a child being embraced, inspired by the Parable of the Prodigal Son as told by Jesus in the Bible, to symbolize forgiveness, reconciliation and the restoration of community.
A traditional Korean white porcelain container with a lid was also given to Leo. Lee's gifts to Parolin were cases with floral designs and a wellness supplement product made of red ginseng extract.
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Read the full article at The Korea Herald →📄Source document: President Lee Jae Myung speaks with Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican on Monday.→4 reports
The Korea HeraldIndependentCenter2 days agoSouth Korean President Lee Jae Myung stated that he requested Pope Leo XIV to visit South Korea for World Youth Day 2027 and suggested the pontiff consider visiting the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) during the trip. During a visit to the Vatican, Lee discussed plans for the event and expressed hopes for the pope to explore a visit to North Korea as part of peace efforts. The pope reportedly showed interest in peace on the Korean Peninsula and the Catholic Church in South Korea. Lee also mentioned discussions regarding the appointment of a cardinal based in South Korea.
Bias read (Center): The article reports on diplomatic engagement between a national leader and a religious figure, focusing on cultural and international events. There is no overt ideological framing, and the content remains descriptive without apparent bias toward either political side.
The Korea HeraldIndependentCenter2 days ago Lee asks Pope Leo XIV to visit N. KoreaSouth Korean President Lee Jae Myung stated during a press briefing that he requested Pope Leo XIV to visit North Korea and the Demilitarized Zone during their meeting at the Vatican. The pope reportedly agreed to consider the proposal.
Bias read (Center): The article reports on a diplomatic request made by South Korean President Lee Jae Myung to the Pope regarding a potential visit to North Korea. The content is factual, presenting the statement and response without apparent bias or subjective language. There is no indication of framing that favors a
The Korea HeraldIndependentCenter6 days ago Lee invites Pope Leo XIV to visit S. Korea for World Youth Day 2027South Korean President Lee Jae Myung invited Pope Leo XIV to visit South Korea in 2027 for World Youth Day, following a private meeting at the Vatican. The two leaders discussed cooperation for the event and South Korea's peace initiatives on the Korean Peninsula. Lee also met with the Vatican's secretary of state.
Bias read (Center): The article reports on an international diplomatic engagement involving religious and cultural events without taking a stance or using biased language. It focuses on factual details of meetings and agreements.
The Korea HeraldIndependentCenter6 days ago Lee received by pope at VaticanSouth Korean President Lee Jae Myung visited the Vatican, meeting with Pope Leo XIV and planning to meet with Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin. This marks Lee's first meeting with the pope since taking office in June 2025. The last such meeting occurred in 2021 between President Moon Jae-in and Pope Francis. There is speculation that Pope Leo XIV might visit North Korea during his upcoming trip to South Korea for World Youth Day in 2027, potentially meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. This aligns with Lee's efforts to improve inter-Korean relations following the sou
Bias read (Center): The article reports on a diplomatic event without overtly favoring any political perspective. It provides factual details about the meeting and includes background information on previous interactions and potential future developments. There is no evident bias in the language or framing.
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