Attends special mass for peace and solidarity celebrated by Cardinal Lazzaro You Heung-sik

President Lee Jae Myung delivers a commemorative address at the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls in Rome, Italy, on Sunday, during a special mass for peace and solidarity celebrated by Cardinal Lazzaro You Heung-sik. [Yonhap]
President Lee Jae Myung delivers a commemorative address at the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls in Rome, Italy, on Sunday, during a special mass for peace and solidarity celebrated by Cardinal Lazzaro You Heung-sik. [Yonhap]

President Lee Jae Myung, on a state visit to Italy, said Sunday he hopes to build "a virtuous cycle in which peace on the Korean Peninsula leads to world peace, and global solidarity in turn strengthens peace on the Korean Peninsula."

Lee made the remarks at the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls in Rome, where Cardinal Lazzaro You Heung-sik celebrated a special mass for peace and solidarity. "I pray that the prayers we offer together this Sunday become blessed seeds of peace and solidarity for the whole world," he said.

The Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls is one of Rome's four major basilicas, renowned for being built over the tomb of the Apostle Paul.

Lee is the first South Korean president to attend a mass in Rome and deliver a commemorative address there since former President Moon Jae-in did so in 2018 — a gap of eight years. Moon attended a special mass at St. Peter's Basilica on that occasion.

Taking the podium after Cardinal You concluded the mass, Lee invoked the June 15 inter-Korean summit that former President Kim Dae-jung held in Pyongyang in 2000, using it to underscore the importance of peace on the Korean Peninsula.

"On June 15, 26 years ago, the South and the North sat face to face for the first time since the division and issued the June 15 Joint Declaration," Lee said. "It was a historic turning point that showed the world the possibility of dialogue and cooperation, transcending long years of hostility and tension."

President Lee Jae Myung and first lady Kim Hye-kyung pray at the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls in Rome, Italy, on Sunday, during a special mass for peace and solidarity celebrated by Cardinal Lazzaro You Heung-sik. [Yonhap]
President Lee Jae Myung and first lady Kim Hye-kyung pray at the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls in Rome, Italy, on Sunday, during a special mass for peace and solidarity celebrated by Cardinal Lazzaro You Heung-sik. [Yonhap]

"I am convinced that the flame of that hope is still alive," Lee said, adding that he intends "to do everything possible to build a sustainable peace regime."

"At a time when conflict and uncertainty weigh heavily on the world, South Korea now wishes to deliver a message of hope," he said, adding that the country would "join efforts to build a world where every person can live a life of dignity."

Lee said his government has pursued proactive tension-reduction measures since taking office last year, including halting the scattering of leaflets and suspending loudspeaker broadcasts toward North Korea. He also said Seoul has made clear it does not seek absorption-style unification or one-sided regime competition. "We will consistently continue efforts to prevent accidental clashes between the two Koreas and restore military trust," he said. "We plan to do everything we can to move beyond the armistice and build a sustainable peace regime."

He also expressed gratitude to the Holy See for its support. "The international community has long yearned for peace and reconciliation on the Korean Peninsula, and South Korea has consistently worked to meet those hopes and expectations," Lee said. "I take this opportunity to extend my deepest thanks to the Holy See for its unwavering attention and support throughout that process."

Lee said South Korea also intends to contribute to maintaining world peace. "At a time when conflict and uncertainty weigh heavily on the world, South Korea now wishes to deliver a message of hope," he said. "With the light that democracy has drawn up, the dignity that a rich culture has shaped, and the future possibilities that science, technology and innovation are opening, we will contribute to building a world that is more peaceful and free — one where every person can live a life of dignity."

He pledged to fulfill South Korea's international responsibilities alongside like-minded partners across borders, ideologies, races and cultures — "bringing reconciliation where there is conflict, trust where there is mistrust, and solidarity where there is division, so that peace may become the common heritage of all humanity."

He closed by asking the assembled guests to pray together "that the precious words of Isaiah 2:4 — 'They shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks' — may be realized across all nations."


sang@heraldcorp.com