President Yoon Calls Cardinal Yu Hyung-sik to Congratulate... "Elevated Status of Korean Catholic Church"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jae-hee] President Yoon Suk-yeol made a congratulatory call to Archbishop Lazarus Yoo Heung-sik (70), who was appointed as a new cardinal, the presidential office announced on the 30th.

During the call with Cardinal Yoo, President Yoon said, "I sincerely congratulate you together with the people," adding, "You have become a warm light in the hearts of people around the world, and it seems that the efforts for world peace have borne fruit. As president and as a citizen, I am happy and grateful."

President Yoon continued, "Being appointed as the Prefect of the Vatican's Congregation for the Clergy is already an amazing achievement, but the fact that the first Korean cardinal from the Vatican's prefecture has emerged shows the elevated status of the Catholic Church in Korea."

He also said, "May the Lord's guidance always be with you on your new journey as a cardinal," and urged, "Please be a light for the poor and marginalized, and play a significant role for the Republic of Korea and the global Catholic Church."

Cardinal Yoo responded, "While working in Croatia, I received an unexpected notice from the Vatican about my cardinal appointment," and added, "It is thanks to the status of the Korean Catholic Church and the Republic of Korea, built on the blood of martyrs."

Cardinal Yoo also conveyed Pope Francis's congratulations on President Yoon's inauguration. The presidential office said President Yoon expressed his gratitude in return.

On the 29th (local time), Pope Francis announced the list of 21 new cardinals, including Archbishop Yoo, after the Sunday Angelus prayer at the Vatican Apostolic Palace.

The Korean Catholic Church has produced Cardinals Stephen Kim Sou-hwan (1922?2009), Nicholas Cheong Jin-suk (1931?2021), and Andrew Yeom Soo-jung (78).

While all previously appointed cardinals were former archbishops of the Seoul Archdiocese, this time marks the first appointment of a cardinal from the Vatican prefecture who is not from the Seoul Archdiocese.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.