President Lee Invites Pope Leo XIV to Visit Korea... Possibility of Papal Visit to North Korea Also Discussed

Request for Papal Visit to South Korea During 2027 World Youth Day
Hopes for Message of Peace on the Korean Peninsula

Vatican on Inter-Korean Relations: "Not Only Patience but Also Hope Is Needed"

Possibility of Trump Summit at G7: "No Concrete Progress Yet"

On June 15 (local time), President Lee Jae-myung met with Pope Leo XIV and formally invited him to visit South Korea in conjunction with the 2027 World Youth Day in Seoul. During their meeting, they also discussed ways to achieve peace on the Korean Peninsula and resume inter-Korean dialogue. It has been reported that the possibility of a papal visit to North Korea was also raised during the discussions.

President Lee Jae-myung and his wife, along with Pope Leo XIV, posed for a commemorative photo before their meeting at the Apostolic Palace of the Vatican on the 15th (local time). 2026.6.15 (Photo by Vatican Media) Yonhap News

Wi Sung-rak, Chief of the National Security Office, held a briefing at the local press center in Rome, Italy, stating, "President Lee held a private meeting with Pope Leo XIV today, followed by a meeting with Secretary of State Parolin. The President conveyed to the Pope the Korean people's aspirations and the government's vision for establishing peace on the Korean Peninsula, and reaffirmed the Vatican's unwavering support and interest in peace and reconciliation on the peninsula."

President Lee and the Pope agreed to work closely together to ensure the successful hosting of next year's World Youth Day in Seoul. At this meeting, President Lee extended a formal invitation to Pope Leo XIV to visit South Korea. The 2027 World Youth Day in Seoul is a major international event gathering Catholic youth from all over the world, and according to the Office of the President, a papal visit could serve as an opportunity to send a message of peace for the Korean Peninsula.

The one-on-one meeting between President Lee and the Pope lasted about 30 minutes. A senior official from the Office of the President explained, "There was a discussion on the contribution of the Catholic Church to Korea's modernization and democratization process. President Lee also expressed hopes for the continued contribution and role of the Catholic Church in ensuring peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula, and I understand the Pope responded positively to these remarks."

The issue of a papal visit to North Korea was also brought to the discussion table. In response to a question about whether there was a request for the Pope to visit North Korea, a senior official said, "We discussed World Youth Day and inter-Korean relations, and I believe various options were mentioned during that process. The issue was raised in the meeting with the Secretary of State, but there was no concrete discussion." The official added, "The matter of visiting North Korea is directly related to North Korea itself. Such a visit can only materialize if North Korea responds positively or extends an invitation. Given North Korea's strong stance of refusing external engagement at present, there are clear limitations to these discussions."

During the meeting with Secretary of State Parolin, President Lee also expressed his commitment to improving inter-Korean relations. President Lee stated, "Although the situation is challenging due to the current severance of ties, we will pursue tension reduction and confidence-building through various means. While this process will require time and patience, we will continue our efforts." It was reported that, in the course of this conversation, President Lee also used the phrase, "Knock, and it will be opened to you." According to the senior official, the Vatican side encouraged the Korean government's efforts for dialogue and remarked, "Not only patience but also hope is necessary."

This visit to the Vatican also marks the conclusion of the bilateral diplomatic schedule during President Lee’s European tour. The previous day, President Lee attended a 'Special Mass for Peace and Solidarity' at the Basilica of St. Paul, delivering a commemorative speech for the 26th anniversary of the June 15 North-South Joint Declaration. At the event, President Lee stated that "the spark of hope left by the June 15 Declaration for peace on the Korean Peninsula still remains alive."

Chief Wi assessed the European tour, saying, "The bilateral schedule connecting Belgium, the EU, Italy, and the Vatican has concluded. It was a meaningful journey that sought directions for future cooperation as well as addressing current issues." During the visit to Belgium, the foundation for Korean companies’ expansion into Europe was broadened; with the EU, Korea agreed to conclude a digital trade agreement and expand security cooperation; and with Italy, the two countries elevated their relationship to a 'special strategic partnership,' expanding cooperation in advanced industries, SMEs, and the culture and tourism sectors.

On this day, President Lee also attended a luncheon meeting with the Korean community in Italy, where he listened to the difficulties faced by local Koreans. The Office of the President stated it would relay these issues to the Italian authorities in an effort to ensure prompt progress.

President Lee Jae-myung and Pope Leo XIV are having a conversation on the 15th (local time) at the Apostolic Palace of the Vatican while looking at the "Papal Audiences Album" prepared by the Pope for President Lee. June 15, 2026 (Photo by Vatican Media) Yonhap News

Meanwhile, a separate summit with U.S. President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the G7 Summit has not yet been confirmed. A senior official stated, "The possibility remains open, but it is difficult to report any concrete progress at this time. This is not a topic we are prioritizing, and there are various variables such as scheduling and the situation in the Middle East."

President Lee will attend the G7 Summit in Evian, France, for two days starting June 16. Chief Wi remarked, "Based on the trust and achievements accumulated with Europe, this will serve as an opportunity to further solidify Korea’s stature as a contributor to resolving global issues on a broader international stage. Korean diplomacy will increasingly aim for broader solidarity and deeper cooperation beyond the Korean Peninsula and Northeast Asia, reaching Europe and the global arena."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.