Cho hopes Pope's visit will bridge inter-Korean divide; Cardinal You sees Vatican role

South Korean Unification Minister Cho Myung-gyoon has voiced optimism that Pope Francis's planned visit to South Korea in 2025 could provide a crucial bridge for dialogue between the two Koreas. Speaking at a luncheon with Cardinal Lazarus You Heung-sik, the Prefect of the Dicastery for the Clergy, Cho expressed hope that the papal visit would help mend the severed ties and communication channels that have characterized inter-Korean relations for the past seven to eight years.

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The Korean Peninsula has been in a state of severed contact, dialogue, and meetings for the past 7-8 years, but I expect the Pope's visit to serve as an opportunity to build that bridge.

Cardinal You affirmed that the Vatican would actively explore avenues to engage with North Korea, consistent with the Pope's itinerary and message. He indicated that Vatican embassies in various countries would seek contact with North Korean embassies in their respective regions, adapting their activities to local circumstances. The Pope is scheduled to visit South Korea in August 2025, coinciding with the Catholic World Youth Day, an event that Cardinal You hopes will become a significant blessing for peace on the Korean Peninsula.

During the meeting, Cardinal You shared his past proposal to Pope Francis to host the World Youth Day in South Korea, citing the Korean Peninsula's division as a primary reason. He described how he envisioned young people connecting along the 155-mile Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) to experience division and peace firsthand, potentially forming a human chain. He explained to the Pope that such an event, involving 300,000 to 350,000 young people, would hold immense significance, allowing them to reflect on martyrdom and practice peace and reconciliation.

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The Vatican will certainly make efforts in that regard, as the Pope will visit Korea from August 3 to 8 next year.

Cardinal You also relayed a recent inquiry from Pope Francis about President Lee Jae-myung's enjoyment of his previous visit to the Vatican. Upon being told that President Lee had been very pleased and felt much affection, the Pope expressed his own joy and asked that his special greetings be conveyed.

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I explained to the Pope that if young people connect along the 155-mile Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) truce line, experiencing division and peace vividly, they could connect from east to west with 300,000 to 350,000 people.