Lee Likely to Meet Pope
By Kim Jong-chan
Political Editor
President Lee Myung-bak plans to visit the Vatican next week for his first meeting with Pope Benedict XVI, as part of his trip to three European countries, Yonhap News Agency reported Saturday.
Lee is leaving for a tour of Poland, Italy and Sweden tomorrow.
Quoting an unnamed senior presidential aide, the report said, "President Lee is pushing for a visit to the Vatican on the sidelines of his trip to Italy from July 9-10 to attend the G8 summit." Lee's aides said Saturday that an exact schedule has yet to be fixed.
He said that chances are high that Lee will meet the Pope, as the Vatican is positively considering their meeting, according to the report.
"If held, it would be their first meeting. A related schedule is being fine-tuned," he said, adding it would provide a chance for the leaders to discuss various issues, including the North Korean nuclear issue and human rights.
In addition, they may commemorate Cardinal Stephen Kim Sou-hwan, who died in February, he said.