South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has formally requested Pope Leon XIV to visit North Korea and the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). The request was made during a meeting with the Pope at the Vatican this week. Yonhap news agency reports the president hopes a papal visit could contribute to peace and reconciliation on the Korean peninsula. Details of the Pope’s response have not been publicly disclosed. The DMZ, a heavily fortified border area, symbolizes the division between North and South Korea. This appeal follows ongoing tensions and stalled diplomatic efforts regarding North Korea’s nuclear program. President Lee’s initiative highlights South Korea’s desire for increased international engagement in resolving the inter-Korean conflict.