President Lee Jae Myung (sixth from left) and Pope Leo XIV on June 15 take a group photo with attendees before their private talks at the Apostolic Palace, the pope's official residence, in Vatican City. (Vatican Media)

By Charles Audouin

President Lee Jae Myung has invited Pope Leo XIV to visit Korea next year to attend World Youth Day, a gathering of Catholic youth, in Seoul.

The president said this on June 19 at a news briefing on his recent tour of Europe and participation in the G7 summit of the world's seven major economies.

"I also requested that the pope during his visit also pursue going to North Korea if possible, including a trip to the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ)," he said. "The Pope replied that he would actively consider the proposal and how to pursue it."

President Lee attended a special Mass for peace and solidarity at the Vatican. "I explained in detail my administration's vision and commitment to peace on the Korean Peninsula," he said. "The spirit of reconciliation and cooperation forged by the June 15 South-North Joint Declaration, along with the embers of hope for peace, remain alive."

Both sides also discussed the Korean Catholic Church.

President Lee requested the appointment of a cardinal in Korea to oversee domestic affairs, to which Pope Leo pledged "special consideration" to the country's circumstances if new cardinals are appointed.

caudouin@korea.kr