SPOTLIGHT 25/10/21 Visiting S. Korean lawmakers urge Pope Leo to visit N. Korea

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Proposed papal visit for 2027 Seoul WYD termed a significant symbol of peace in the Korean Peninsula

Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican Secretary of State (second left), is greeted by South Korean lawmaker Woo Won-shik during his visit to the Vatican on Oct. 21. (Photo: Catholic Times of Korea)

By UCA News reporter

Published: October 22, 2025 12:03 PM GMT

Updated: October 22, 2025 12:04 PM GMT

South Korean lawmakers visiting the Vatican have delivered a formal letter urging Pope Leo XIV to visit North Korea during his visit to the Korean Peninsula for the 2027 Seoul World Youth Day (WYD).

South Korean National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik, in his remarks at an Oct. 21 meeting with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State of the Holy See, said: “If the Pope's visit to North Korea is realized during his trip to Seoul, it would be a very significant symbol for world peace and peace on the Korean Peninsula.”

Earlier in July, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung had proposed that Pope Leo consider a visit to North Korea during the WYD event.

Woo said the South Korean government is trying “to open the door to dialogue by easing tensions and building trust between North and South.”

Since taking office, Lee’s administration has moved to de-escalate tensions with North Korea.

South Korea had suspended the loudspeaker broadcasts and leaflet campaigns directed at North Korea. In return, the North has responded by halting its broadcasts targeting the South.

Lawmaker Park Jeong of the Democratic Party of Korea was also present at the meeting in which Woo handed over the invitation letter to Parolin.

Former South Korean President Moon Jae-in visited the Vatican in 2018 and 2021 to extend an invitation to then-Pope Francis to visit North Korea.

At the time, Pope Francis had responded that he would go “if an official invitation came from the North.”

The lawmakers were at the Vatican to discuss cooperation measures for the successful hosting of the WYD.

The WYD is a triennial global Catholic youth gathering, established by Pope John Paul II in 1985, that draws tens of thousands of youths from across the world. Leo is slated to attend the event in 2027.

Parolin lauded the dynamic and vibrant Korean Catholic community while adding that the WYD event is “an important occasion that the government and the Church must prepare together.”

While expressing dismay over the stalled inter-Korean dialogue and strained relations between the North and South, Parolin expressed support for the South Korean government's “renewed efforts to resume talks.”  

Woo expressed hope that a planned “human chain” event connecting North and South “could convey the meaning of peace on the Korean Peninsula to the entire world.”

“I hope this dream becomes reality, as it would be a precious event to thaw frozen hearts,” Woo said.

Park pointed out that the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) was a symbol of division, “and a place yearning for peace.”

“Holding the closing Mass of Seoul WYD here would symbolically express the message of peace, climate, and humanity's common challenges,” Park said.

Earlier on Oct. 20, the lawmakers met with Cardinal Lazarus You Heung-sik, prefect of the Vatican’s Dicastery for the Clergy, and discussed the plans for organizing WYD 2027.

Cardinal Yoo and Woo agreed to develop the WYD event into an opportunity for peace on the Korean Peninsula and solidarity among humanity.

Yoo pointed out that the Vatican chose “peace” as WYD’s core theme as it recognized South Korea as “the most suitable country to convey a message of peace to young people worldwide.”

*-- This is a translated and edited version of the report that first appeared in the Catholic Times of Korea on Oct. 22 and is republished with permission.