South Korea seeks North Korean role in 2027 papal visit

Unification Minister Chung Dong-young (L), South Korea's point man on inter-Korean relations, meets with South Korea-born Cardinal Lazzaro You Heung-sik, prefect of the Congregation for the Clergy of the Holy See, over a luncheon in Seoul, South Korea, 22 July 2026. Photo by YONHAP / EPA July 22 (Asia Today) -- South Korean Unification Minister Chung Dong Young said Wednesday that Seoul would work to rebuild trust with North Korea before Pope Leo XIV's expected visit next year and expressed hope that North Korean youths could attend World Youth Day. Chung made the remarks during a luncheon in Seoul with Cardinal Lazzaro You Heung-sik, prefect of the Vatican's Dicastery for the Clergy, who was visiting South Korea during his vacation. Pope Leo is expected to visit South Korea for World Youth Day, an international Catholic gathering scheduled to be held in Seoul from Aug. 3-8, 2027. "Inter-Korean contact, dialogue and meetings have been suspended for the past seven or eight years," Chung said. "I hope the pope's visit will provide an opportunity to build a bridge." "I expect the pope's visit next year to be a great blessing for peace on the Korean Peninsula," he said. Chung said he hoped young people from North Korea would be able to participate in the gathering alongside youths from around the world. "We will work to restore trust between South and North Korea before the pope arrives and help ensure that the event proceeds successfully in a positive atmosphere," Chung said. You said the Vatican generally seeks to avoid issuing overtly political messages but has continued working to promote peace on the Korean Peninsula. He said Vatican diplomats stationed around the world could contact North Korean embassies in their host countries and undertake other efforts before the pope's visit. "There is no doubt they will perform the roles and make the efforts appropriate to their circumstances," You said. You said he had told the pope that South Korea's president, government and people were hoping the Vatican would play a significant role in advancing peace. The pope responded that he hoped he would be able to fulfill such a role, according to the cardinal. You also conveyed a message from Pope Leo concerning his meeting with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung last month. The pope said he appreciated the meeting and enjoyed their comfortable and natural conversation, You said. Lee visited the Vatican for two days while attending the Group of Seven summit last month and held a private meeting with Pope Leo. The South Korean president invited the pope to visit the country for World Youth Day. The possibility of a papal visit to North Korea was also reportedly discussed during the meeting. You said he had proposed holding World Youth Day in South Korea to Pope Francis several years ago. He said he told Francis that South Korea remained divided and that a human chain connecting the country from east to west could be formed with about 300,000 to 350,000 people. You said hosting the gathering in South Korea would be meaningful because young people could reflect on the country's tradition of Catholic martyrdom while practicing peace and reconciliation. Preparations for South Korea's bid began several months after the proposal, he said. "I personally feel a sense of responsibility," You said. You said during a July 3 news conference that Pope Leo had a strong interest in peace on the Korean Peninsula. Asked about the possibility of a papal visit to North Korea, the cardinal said it would depend on Pyongyang's position. He added that developments in relations between North Korea and the United States could also affect whether such a visit becomes possible. -- Reported by Asia Today; translated by UPI © Asia Today. Unauthorized reproduction or redistribution prohibited. Original Korean report: https://www.asiatoday.co.kr/kn/view.php?key=20260722010008012 Read More Papal North Korea visit hinges on Pyongyang, cardinal says South Korea's Lee says Trump wants renewed focus on North Korea S. Korea's Lee says 'ember of hope' for dialogue with North still exists