A South Korea-born cardinal says any potential visit by Pope Leo XIV to North Korea depends on Pyongyang’s willingness and readiness to set the terms for such a trip. Speaking to reporters in Rome at a special Mass at the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls, Cardinal Lazzaro You Heung-sik said the pope is open to playing a role in promoting peace on the Korean Peninsula, but that North Korea would need to invite him and determine the conditions for a visit. The comments are reported as South Korea seeks to use Vatican attention to support efforts to ease tensions and build peace with North Korea, including exploring the possibility of facilitating a papal visit. Both outlets note that the late Pope Francis had previously expressed willingness to visit North Korea. Cardinal You also linked the potential impact of a papal trip to broader diplomacy, saying Pope Leo XIV’s American background could help mobilize Catholic support in the United States, which could in turn create space for the Vatican to engage in North Korea–U.S. relations. President Lee Jae Myung attended the Mass in Rome.
Cardinal says Pope Leo XIV visit to North Korea hinges on Pyongyang’s conditions
A South Korea-born cardinal says any potential visit by Pope Leo XIV to North Korea depends on Pyongyang’s willingness and readiness to set the terms for such a trip. Speaking to reporters in Rome at...
- Cardinal Lazzaro You Heung-sik says a Pope Leo XIV visit to North Korea depends on Pyongyang’s determination and conditions.
- The cardinal says North Korea would need to invite the pope for such a visit to happen.
- He states the pope is willing to help promote peace on the Korean Peninsula.
- South Korea is seeking to involve the Vatican to support efforts to ease tensions with North Korea, including exploring a papal visit.
- The remarks are connected to prior comments from the late Pope Francis, who had expressed willingness to visit North Korea.
Whether Pope Leo XIV would visit North Korea depends on how Pyongyang handles the matter, as the pope is willing to play a role in promoting peace on the Korean Peninsula, a South Korean cardinal has said. South Korea-born Cardinal Lazzaro You Heung-sik made the remarks to reporters Sunday as he celebrated a special Mass at the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls in Rome, attended by President Lee Jae Myung. The remarks came as Seoul seeks to leverage the Vatican’s attention in its efforts to ease tensions and build peace with North Korea, including facilitating a papal visit […]...Keep on reading: Pope Leo's visit to N. Korea depends on Pyongyang's determination
2 months agoROME — Whether Pope Leo XIV would visit North Korea depends on how Pyongyang handles the matter, as the pope is willing to play a role in promoting peace on the Korean Peninsula, a South Korean cardinal has said. South Korea-born Cardinal Lazzaro You Heung-sik made the remarks to reporters Sunday as he celebrated a special Mass at the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls in Rome, attended by President Lee Jae Myung. The remarks came as Seoul seeks to leverage the Vatican's attention in its efforts to ease tensions and build peace with North Korea, including facilitating a papal visit to North Korea. The late Pope Francis had repeatedly expressed willingness to visit the North. "As I see it, it depends on North Korea," You said, adding it is up to the North to invite the pope and set the conditions for the visit. A visit to North Korea by Pope Leo XIV, an American by birth, may help mobilize Catholic support in the United States, which may in turn may make it possible for the Vatican to play a role in North Korea-U.S. relations, You noted. The cardinal also quoted the pope as having
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