Leo XIV Hopes to Contribute to Korean Peace
– Cardinal You Heung-sik, Prefect of the Vatican’s Dicastery for the Clergy, expressed expectations on the 3rd that President Lee Jae-myung and Pope Leo XIV would meet this year.
In a press conference held during his visit to Korea, Cardinal You mentioned that he had cautiously conveyed to the President his hope for a visit to the Vatican and a meeting with the Pope within the year. He added, “I’m not sure how it will be diplomatically,” but noted that a letter sent by the Presidential Office to the Vatican indicated a desire to meet the Pope soon, interpreting “soon” as within this year.
Cardinal You expressed his hope that Leo XIV, an American, would play a crucial role in improving U.S.-North Korea relations and promoting peace on the Korean Peninsula. He shared that he had previously informed Leo XIV about Pope Francis’s initiatives towards North Korea. Highlighting his close relationship with Leo XIV, who served as Archbishop of the Secretariat during Pope Francis’s papacy, Cardinal You stated they often communicated about clerical matters.
Regarding Leo XIV being the first American pope, Cardinal You mentioned, “During the conclave, the cardinals hardly considered his American nationality, but rather highly valued his 20 years of missionary work in impoverished areas like Peru.” As for the possibility of a new Korean cardinal, Cardinal You speculated, “Leo XIV might appoint new cardinals at an appropriate time towards the end of this year, making it possible for new appointments then.”