Cardinal Calls for Peace Between North and South Korea

In a powerful Mass at Rome's Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls, Cardinal Lazarus You Heung-sik declared that the Korean Peninsula "can never give up on peace" despite decades of division. The Sunday service drew South Korean President Lee Jae-myung just one day before his papal audience.

Cardinal You, who serves as Prefect of the Dicastery for the Clergy and former Bishop of Daejeon, spoke directly about the pain of families torn apart by the divide. "Brothers and sisters still live separated," he said during the service. "What suffering could be greater than this?"

The Cardinal challenged President Lee and the gathered faithful with a vision for Korea's future. He expressed hope that the nation could show the world "that dialogue is stronger than confrontation, reconciliation stronger than hatred, and trust stronger than fear."

True peace requires more than the absence of conflict, Cardinal You explained. It demands sincere dialogue, respect for human dignity, and genuine effort to understand others. Even when someone seems impossible to reach, he added, "the path of peace opens when we seek encounter with a heart willing to listen."

The Ripple Effect

Cardinal You's message extends far beyond the Korean Peninsula. His emphasis on compassion over violence and communication over indifference offers a roadmap for divided communities worldwide. The Cardinal pointed to Pope Francis's 2014 visit to South Korea as a model of the Church walking alongside those who suffer.

During that visit, Pope Francis met with families of victims from the Sewol ferry tragedy. When asked if his gesture was political, Francis replied simply: "Before human suffering, one cannot be neutral." Those words, Cardinal You said, brought "deep consolation and courage to Korean society."

The Catholic Church continues working tirelessly under Pope Leo XIV's guidance to protect human dignity and build a peaceful world. The Cardinal stressed that the Gospel way doesn't create divisions but stands beside the wounded.

With President Lee's papal audience scheduled for June 15, the Mass set a hopeful tone for continued dialogue. Cardinal You's words remind us that even in the most difficult places, hope remains alive through willingness to listen and understand.