The Vatican has introduced a new Korean-language audio guide at St. Peter’s Basilica, a project that church leaders say will make the landmark more accessible for Korean pilgrims and visitors.
The Archdiocese of Seoul and the Embassy of the Republic of Korea to the Holy See handed over the guide during a ceremony at the Vatican on July 29.
Cardinal Mauro Gambetti, Archpriest of St. Peter’s Basilica, joined Bishops Lee Kyung-sang and Choi Kwang-hee of the Archdiocese of Seoul, Monsignor Jung Yeon-jung, Rector of the Pontifical Korean College in Rome, and Lee Jung-woo, Chargé d’Affaires of the Korean Embassy to the Holy See, for the event.
“This collaboration between the Holy See, the Archdiocese of Seoul, and the Korean Embassy to the Holy See has borne truly remarkable fruit,” Cardinal Gambetti said. “This new audio guide will allow Korean Catholics and pilgrims to experience St. Peter’s Basilica in a much richer way.”
The cardinal noted that the initiative builds on the popularity of the statue of St. Andrew Kim Tae-gon, Korea’s first priest, installed outside the basilica in 2023. “Just as the statue … has become a popular destination for many Koreans, we expect that even more Korean visitors will come through this new audio guide,” he said.
Bishop Lee welcomed the project. “We are pleased that the Archdiocese of Seoul was able to participate in this audio guide project,” he said.
He expressed hope that the project would provide practical support for Korean pilgrims. He also noted that the launch coincided with the Jubilee of Youth, highlighting the presence of many young Koreans in Rome and voicing optimism for both the success of the jubilee and the upcoming World Youth Day in Seoul in 2027.
Lee Jung-woo, Chargé d’Affaires of the Korean Embassy to the Holy See, said, “It is an honor to witness the fruits of this project that began last year. We hope the Korean audio guide will be of great help to Korean tourists and the faithful visiting the basilica.”
The guide, which will be available from August 1, features narration by actor Cha Seung-won, who volunteered his voice.
The Archdiocese of Seoul and the Korean Embassy to the Holy See collaborated on its production, part of a wider update to the basilica’s information and exhibition content.
Church officials expect the service to improve accessibility for Korean visitors, especially during this year’s Catholic Jubilee.
