Addressing around 170 Korean priests and religious sisters at the Vatican, Pope Leo XIV called on them to act as “witnesses of hope” and “artisans of peace” in a peninsula still bearing the painful wound of division. Highlighting the upcoming 2027 Seoul World Youth Day, the Holy Father expressed his hope that young people attending the event would absorb the deep faith of the Korean martyrs and carry its message out into the wider world.
Reflecting on the history of the Church in Korea, the Pontiff noted how a land that was once a mission destination has transformed into a homeland of missionaries. He emphasized that this missionary identity is deeply rooted in the memory and sacrifice of early Korean martyrs, including Saint Andrew Kim Tae-gon and Saint Paul Chong Ha-sang. He remarked that “memory gives rise to mission, and mission opens the way to hope,” pointing out that the Korean people have consistently shown extraordinary strength of spirit through persecution, war, poverty, and division.
For those actively involved in preparing for World Youth Day, the Pope offered a clear invitation: to walk alongside young people, listen to them, and help them realize that faith opens life to a greater horizon rather than restricting it. Encouraging them to prepare with enthusiasm, he reminded them that the hope of the martyrs rested on the unwavering certainty of Christ’s victory rather than favorable external circumstances.
Finally, the Pope urged the diverse gathering of clergy and religious to cherish their friendship with Christ and use their varied backgrounds to foster fraternity and synodality. Emphasizing that a synodal Church views others as companions on a journey rather than rivals, he called for continued prayer and effort toward opening new paths of encounter so that the Gospel of peace may be proclaimed freely across the entire Korean peninsula and the world.