South Korean President Lee Jae Myung invited Pope Leo XIV to visit Seoul and discussed inter-Korean peace and dialogue during a Vatican audience on Monday, though neither side confirmed whether Lee renewed a long-standing push for a papal trip to North Korea.

As an extension of his state visit to Italy, Lee met with Pope Leo at the Vatican Apostolic Palace, where he briefed the pontiff on his government’s efforts to reduce tensions, rebuild trust and establish lasting peace on the peninsula through dialogue. 

He also requested the pope’s continued interest and blessing for peace and reconciliation between the two