Speaker holds back-to-back meetings with Cardinal Yoo and Secretary of State Parolin to deepen South Korea-Holy See cooperation

National Assembly Speaker Jo Jeong-sik (back row, right) meets with Cardinal Yoo Heung-sik, prefect of the Dicastery for the Clergy at the Vatican. [National Assembly Speaker's Office]
National Assembly Speaker Jo Jeong-sik (back row, right) meets with Cardinal Yoo Heung-sik, prefect of the Dicastery for the Clergy at the Vatican. [National Assembly Speaker's Office]

National Assembly Speaker Jo Jeong-sik visited the Vatican on Wednesday (local time), holding back-to-back meetings with Cardinal Yoo Heung-sik, prefect of the Dicastery for the Clergy, and Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin, kicking off the first overseas trip of his speakership.

The visit was arranged to express bipartisan, national-level support for the successful hosting of World Youth Day (WYD) in Seoul next year and the Pope's visit to South Korea, and to strengthen cooperation with the Holy See on Korean Peninsula peace and other issues.

Jo first attended a Mass celebrated by Cardinal Yoo before sitting down for talks. "I find it deeply meaningful that the Vatican is the first stop of my first overseas trip as speaker," he said, adding that he was glad to see the cardinal again just three months after meeting him in Seoul.

Jo also shared updates on preparations for the 2027 Seoul World Youth Day, now less than 10 months away. "Last month I reviewed the preparations together with Archbishop Jeong Soon-taek and members of the organizing committee," he said. "The government and the National Assembly will communicate closely to ensure the event proceeds without a hitch."

"World Youth Day, which will bring together 500,000 young people from around the world, is an international festival for the next generation," Jo said, asking for Cardinal Yoo's continued attention and support for a successful event.

He added that the National Assembly and the government were working in unison toward peace on the Korean Peninsula and were carefully preparing for the papal visit. "Through World Youth Day held in Korea, I hope the Pope will speak to the values of peace and life — the spirit of Catholicism — and in particular deliver a meaningful message for peace on the Korean Peninsula," Jo said.

Cardinal Yoo said World Youth Day was "a great opportunity for young people to learn dialogue and compromise, and to stand together in pursuit of shared goals." He added that South Korea's unique assets — including the Joint Security Area — could offer young visitors from around the world a range of distinctive experiences.

Jo then met with Secretary of State Parolin to exchange views on the successful hosting of the Seoul World Youth Day and ways to advance the South Korea-Holy See relationship, and to ask for the Vatican's continued role in promoting peace on the Korean Peninsula.

"South Korea and the Holy See have maintained a friendship for 63 years since establishing diplomatic relations in 1963," Jo said. "You accompanied Pope Francis on his visit to Korea in 2014 and have presided over anniversary Masses and Masses for peace on the Korean Peninsula on multiple occasions. On behalf of the Korean people, I express my deep gratitude for the Holy See's and your own efforts and support for peace on the peninsula."

He added that hosting World Youth Day amid heightened tensions on a divided and militarily confrontational Korean Peninsula could serve as an opportunity for peace and reconciliation. "The Pope's message of peace and reconciliation is expected to contribute greatly to easing tensions on the Korean Peninsula," Jo said.

The visit set the stage for the National Assembly and the Holy See to maintain close communication and cooperation toward the successful hosting of the 2027 Seoul World Youth Day and the papal visit to South Korea. Both sides also agreed to continue their solidarity on Korean Peninsula peace, building on 63 years of friendly ties. Accompanying Jo on the Vatican leg of the trip were Assembly members Han Jeong-ae and Hwang Hee of the ruling party, and Choe Hyeong-du and Kang Min-guk of the opposition.


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