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South Korean President Lee Jae-myung seats himself after exchanging greetings with Cardinal Lazzaro You Heung-sik, following his commemorative speech at the Special Mass for Peace and Solidarity held at the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls in Rome, Italy, on June 14 (local time). / Yonhap News

South Korean President Lee Jae-myung, currently on an official visit to the Vatican, will hold a private audience with Pope Leo XIV on June 15 (local time).

President Lee is expected to request the Holy See's continued interest and support for peace on the Korean Peninsula during the meeting.

In particular, keen attention is focused on whether President Lee will extend an invitation for the Pope to visit North Korea, given that Pope Leo XIV is scheduled to visit South Korea next year for World Youth Day (WYD) in Seoul.

World Youth Day is the largest international youth gathering in the Catholic Church, traditionally attended in person by the reigning Pope.

"I remain confident that the embers of hope from the June 15 South-North Joint Declaration are still alive today," President Lee emphasized during his speech at a special mass held at the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls the previous day. "We intend to do everything within our power to move beyond the current armistice and establish a sustainable peace regime."

Following his audience with the Pope, President Lee will also meet with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican's Secretary of State.

                                                                                                             Hong Sun-mi