Democratic Party presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung on Friday congratulated Cardinal Robert Prevost on his election as the new pope of the Roman Catholic Church, hoping the new pontiff will contribute to promoting peace on the Korean Peninsula.
In a Facebook post, Lee extended his congratulations to Pope Leo XIV, the first-ever American pontiff of the Catholic Church.
"I congratulate Pope Leo XIV on his election, together with all Catholic believers. He has dedicated his life to loving neighbors and enhancing social justice," Lee wrote.
Lee said he would pray for the new pope to promote global peace and continue the legacy of his predecessors who worked toward reconciliation between the two Koreas and formally ending the war on the peninsula.
The two Koreas remain technically at war as the 1950-53 Korean War ended in a truce, not a peace treaty.
"I hope the new pope will play a major role in peace on the Korean Peninsula," Lee said.
With Seoul set to host World Youth Day in 2027, Lee also expressed hope that the international Catholic event will serve as an opportunity to encourage peace both on the peninsula and globally. (Yonhap)
