World Taekwondo President Dr Choue Chungwon presented an honorary 10th Dan certificate to Pope Leo XIV during today’s General Audience.
Chungwon was accompanied by World Taekwondo officials as well as eight Performance Team members and seven young Refugee athletes from the Azraq and Za’atari Camps.
This marked Chungwon’s first meeting with Pope Leo XIV since his papacy began in May last year, and continued World Taekwondo’s strong relationship with the Vatican on the development of sport and humanitarian activities.
The honorary 10th Dan certificate is the highest rank in Taekwondo, and Chungwon expressed his gratitude to Pope Leo XIV for his promotion of humanitarian activities around the world.
As Chungwon presented the certificate and dobok, a warm and lighthearted moment unfolded. Noting Pope Leo XIV’s passion for tennis, President Choue playfully suggested that His Holiness might wear the dobok on the court—a remark that brought a hearty laugh to the Pope.
His Holiness warmly commended World Taekwondo and the Taekwondo Humanitarian Foundation for their dedication to refugees, adding that it was a true joy to meet the children from the camps today.
“It was a great honour to meet Pope Leo XIV at today’s General Audience on the occasion of the Taekwondo Humanitarian Foundation’s 10th founding anniversary, and to have the opportunity to share details on the work of the THF in empowering refugees and displaced people around the world,” Chungwon said.
“Pope Leo XIV’s commitment to peace and human dignity mirrors the values at the heart of Taekwondo, and in the spirit of Reborn Together, we are proud to recognise his contribution with this honorary 10th Dan certificate.”
The reception took place prior to the World Para Taekwondo Grand Prix on June 4 and the World Taekwondo Grand Prix from June 5-7 at the Foro Italico in Rome.
Alongside the competition, the Kim & Liù Tournament will also take place at the Foro Italico from June 5-7, providing the seven young Refugee athletes with the opportunity to participate at one of Europe’s biggest youth Taekwondo events.
The Refugee athletes are aged between seven and 14, and are all Syrian nationals.
Chungwon previously granted Pope Francis an honorary 10th Dan certificate at their meeting in May 2017, while the World Taekwondo Performance Team delivered a historic demonstration in St Peter’s Square during Pope Francis’ General Audience in May 2018 and at the 1st Global Conference on Faith & Sport in October 2016.
Athletica Vatican – Vatican Taekwondo is one of World Taekwondo’s 215 Member National Associations, having been formally recognised at the World Taekwondo General Assembly in 2021.
