UNJournal Lee Sung Jun | President Lee Jae-myung made an official visit to the Vatican for two days and one night. During the visit, he held his first private meeting with Pope Leo XIV since taking office and discussed cooperation measures for peace on the Korean Peninsula and the successful hosting of the 2027 World Youth Day in Seoul.

This visit marks the first official visit by the South Korean government leader to the Vatican in five years and is considered a significant diplomatic step in sharing the government’s commitment to international peace, solidarity and sustainable development with the Holy See.

During the meeting with the Pope, President Lee expressed gratitude for the contributions which the Korean Catholic Church has made to democratization, human rights, social integration, and the promotion of peace, while explaining the government’s efforts to establish peace on the Korean Peninsula.

In particular, President Lee emphasized the importance of resolving issues through dialogue to ease tensions between the South and North and to establish lasting peace, and requested that the Holy See would continue to show interest in and support for peace and reconciliation on the Korean Peninsula.
In response, Pope Leo XIV reportedly expressed agreement with the importance of establishing peace on the Korean Peninsula and showed deep interest in the necessity of dialogue and reconciliation between the two Koreas.

"Cooperation for the Successful Hosting of the 2027 Seoul World Youth Day"

President Lee also explained the World Youth Day to be held in Seoul in 2027.

The Seoul World Youth Day holds special significance as it is the second time the event has been held in an Asian country and the first time it has been held in a country where Catholics do not constitute the majority.
President Lee stated, "The government of the Republic of Korea will actively support the Seoul World Youth Day so that it can become a venue for hope, solidarity, and peace for the youth of the world," and respectfully requested the Pope's visit to Korea.

Pope Leo XIV expressed gratitude for the Korean government's active interest and willingness to support, and conveyed his intention that the Holy See would also cooperate closely to ensure the successful hosting of the World Youth Day. Discussion on International Issues with Cardinal Parolin

President Lee subsequently met with Cardinal Pietro Parolin and engaged in extensive discussions regarding the situation on the Korean Peninsula, changes in the international order, and measures to respond to complex global crises.

Both sides agreed that the values of peace, human rights, and solidarity are becoming increasingly important amidst a rapidly changing international environment, and they held in-depth discussions on ways to expand cooperation between Korea and the Holy See.

In particular, they reaffirmed the framework for cooperation to ensure the successful hosting of next year's World Youth Day in Seoul and exchanged views on the role the Korean Catholic Church has played in contributing to peace and social integration on the Korean Peninsula.

Introduction of "AI for All" Policy
During the meeting, President Lee highly praised Pope Leo XIV's first encyclical, .
'Humanity of Greatness,' for its caution against human alienation and its emphasis on the common good.
He also introduced the government's "AI for All" policy, explaining the philosophy that the development of artificial intelligence technology must proceed in a direction that benefits everyone without compromising human dignity or community values.

The Holy See is also reported to have shared the sentiment regarding the importance of human-centered technological development and ethical responsibility. A New Milestone in the Development of Relations Between Korea and the Holy See

This official visit to the Holy See served as an opportunity to reaffirm the Holy See's continued support and interest in peace on the Korean Peninsula, while further solidifying the foundation for cooperation to ensure the successful hosting of the 2027 World Youth Day in Seoul.

Furthermore, it is expected to serve as a new milestone in advancing the cooperative relationship between the Republic of Korea and the Holy See to the next level, centered on the universal values of peace, human rights, and solidarity.