Cardinal You Heung-sik dismisses speculation about becoming next pope

Cardinal Lazzaro You Heung-sik speaks during a meeting with Korean journalists at the Vatican, Thursday (local time). Yonhap

Cardinal Lazzaro You Heung-sik, often mentioned as a potential candidate for the next pontiff, dismissed the speculation and urged the media to stop guessing.

“When I heard that, I just laughed and moved on. It’s an honor ... but the speculation will certainly prove wrong. Nobody knows who will succeed Pope Francis. Never in history has a news media outlet guessed that right. This is a historical fact,” You said Thursday (local time) to Korean journalists who were visiting the Vatican to cover the pope’s funeral.

His comments came after an Italian newspaper earlier last week named him, along with Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle of the Philippines and Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungu of the Democratic Republic of Congo, among 12 likely papal candidates after Pope Francis' death.

Asked about the qualifications the next pontiff needs, You emphasized the ability to listen. “Nowadays, people speak up, but don’t like to listen to others. When you walk together, the most important thing is to listen well. If you love your companions, you would listen. If you don’t, you don’t listen.”

According to The New York Times, the conclave — a meeting of cardinals at the Vatican to elect the next pope — is anticipated to begin the first week of May.

Born in 1951 in Nonsan, South Chungcheong Province, You served as a professor and president of the Catholic University of Daejeon. In 2003, Pope John Paul II appointed him as Bishop Coadjutor of the Diocese of Daejeon, and in 2007, he was named a member of the Pontifical Council Cor Unum.

In 2014, the You hosted Pope Francis during his visit to Korea, and in 2021, the pope appointed him prefect of the Congregation for the Clergy. In 2022, he was elevated to the rank of cardinal.

You’s focus on the underprivileged and minorities is well known. He has also expressed deep concern for the people of North Korea, one of the world’s most impoverished countries.

He has also made efforts to realize a papal visit to North Korea. According to the Hankyoreh, a Korean-language daily based in Seoul, You said in 2021, “It’s true that I am working to lay the groundwork for the Pope’s visit to North Korea.”

Reflecting on Pope Francis’ death, You described him as a "wonderful man who lived his life to the fullest." He added, “No words can describe my sadness when I realize that I can’t meet him anymore.”

You also recalled the pope’s meeting with the families of the Sewol ferry disaster victims during his visit to Korea in 2014, noting that Pope Francis had been well informed about Korea.

Regarding last year's brief imposition of martial law under former President Yoon Suk Yeol, You said, “The Pope asked me how things like that could happen in Korea and wished the best for the country.”