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Lee and Vatican Envoy Discuss Pope’s 2027 Visit to Seoul and Possible North Korea Stop

Lee’s meeting with Cardinal You Heung-sik opened the door to formalizing the pontiff’s 2027 World Youth Day visit, with talks extending to a symbolic North Korea stop.

President Lee Jae Myung (R) meets with Cardinal Lazzaro You Heung-sik at the presidential office in Seoul on July 7, 2025. (Yonhap)
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Overview

  • President Lee Jae Myung met Cardinal Lazzaro You Heung-sik on July 7 in his first official engagement with a religious leader since taking office.
  • Cardinal You conveyed Pope Leo XIV’s verbal invitation for Lee to visit the Holy See, marking an offer for state-level exchange.
  • The cardinal said the Pope is widely expected—but not formally confirmed—to attend the 2027 World Youth Day in Seoul.
  • Lee urged that Pope Leo XIV consider a stop in North Korea en route to South Korea as a symbolic gesture for inter-Korean reconciliation.
  • Lee’s spokesperson confirmed that plans for his visit to Rome remain under consideration with no dates set.