South Korean President Lee Jae Myung on Monday, 15 July formally invited Pope Leo XIV to visit South Korea for World Youth Day 2027, during a bilateral meeting at the Vatican held as part of the President's broader European tour. The invitation was confirmed by national security advisor Wi Sung-lac at a press briefing following the talks.

Key Developments from the Vatican Meeting

Wi said the two leaders agreed to cooperate closely to ensure a successful hosting of World Youth Day 2027, and that Lee had 'officially invited Pope Leo XIV to visit South Korea on that occasion.' The meeting also covered inter-Korean affairs, with both sides expressing the view that cross-border dialogue and cooperation should be pursued despite prevailing political difficulties.

Later the same day, President Lee met Pietro Parolin, the Vatican's Secretary of State, where discussions focused on the importance of exploring various avenues to ease inter-Korean tensions, according to a senior South Korean official who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Korean Peninsula Peace on the Agenda

Lee briefed the Pope on South Korea's initiative to build lasting peace on the Korean Peninsula, and the Vatican reaffirmed its 'unwavering support' for facilitating peace there, Wi noted. The meeting reportedly also touched on the possibility of a papal visit to North Korea, as Seoul seeks to leverage Vatican engagement in its outreach to Pyongyang. The late Pope Francis had repeatedly expressed willingness to visit the North.

Lee's 'Ember of Hope' Address in Rome

On the eve of the Vatican meeting, President Lee addressed a special Mass at the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls in Rome, celebrated by South Korea-born Cardinal Lazzaro You Heung-sik under the theme of peace and solidarity. In his remarks, Lee invoked the inter-Korean joint statement adopted on 15 June 2000, calling it a 'historic turning point' that demonstrated the possibility of overcoming division and opening dialogue.

'I firmly believe the ember of that hope is still alive,' Lee said, reaffirming his administration's commitment to peace with Pyongyang.

Seoul's Confidence-Building Measures

Lee outlined several steps his administration has taken to reduce tensions, including the suspension of propaganda loudspeaker campaigns directed at North Korea. He also stated that South Korea would not pursue unification by absorption or unilateral ideological competition. 'We will continue efforts to prevent accidental conflicts between the South and the North and to restore military trust,' he said, adding that his government plans to work toward transitioning from a ceasefire arrangement to a formal peace system.

The first inter-Korean joint statement of 2000, Lee noted, had enabled reunions of families separated by the 1950–53 Korean War and opened pathways for humanitarian cooperation — a precedent he cited as evidence that progress remains possible.

Whether Pope Leo XIV will accept the invitation and whether a North Korea visit materialises will be closely watched as World Youth Day 2027 approaches.