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Lee meets pope

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By Pyo Kyung-min
  • Published Jun 15, 2026 9:42 pm KST
President Lee Jae Myung shakes hands with Pope Leo XIV at the Apostolic Palace in Vatican City, Monday (local time). During their private meeting, Lee formally asked the pope to visit North Korea during his expected trip to Seoul for World Youth Day in August 2027, urging the Catholic Church to play a role in advancing peace on the Korean Peninsula. The Holy See reaffirmed its unwavering support for inter-Korean peace efforts. Courtesy of Vatican Media

President Lee Jae Myung shakes hands with Pope Leo XIV at the Apostolic Palace in Vatican City, Monday (local time). During their private meeting, Lee formally asked the pope to visit North Korea during his expected trip to Seoul for World Youth Day in August 2027, urging the Catholic Church to play a role in advancing peace on the Korean Peninsula. The Holy See reaffirmed its unwavering support for inter-Korean peace efforts. Courtesy of Vatican Media