Seoul: Unification Minister Chung Dong-young on Wednesday expressed optimism that Pope Leo XIV's forthcoming visit to South Korea could rejuvenate exchanges between South and North Korea. "We hope the pope's visit to Korea will serve as a bridge between the two Koreas, whose communication has been completely cut off over the past seven or eight years," Chung stated during a meeting with Cardinal Lazzaro You Heung-sik, the Vatican's secretary of state for the clergy, who is currently in South Korea on vacation.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Pope Leo XIV is scheduled to visit South Korea next year for World Youth Day (WYD), a significant Catholic youth event typically held every few years. The upcoming event is set for August 3-8, 2027, marking the first time this global gathering will be hosted in South Korea and the second time in Asia, following the 1995 event in Manila, the Philippines.

Chung expressed a desire for North Korean youth to participate in the event, emphasizing the importance of setting politics aside to allow young people from around the world to come together. He pledged to work diligently to rebuild trust between the two Koreas and ensure the event's success. Cardinal You indicated the Vatican's anticipated role in supporting these efforts and affirmed its commitment to this goal.

Last month, President Lee Jae Myung met with Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican, where they discussed the possibility of a papal visit to North Korea. WYD organizers noted the pope's interest in engaging with North Korean youth during the event.