Cardinal Lazzaro You Heung-sik, prefect of the Dicastery for the Clergy of the Holy See, speaks during a blessing ceremony for unveiling the "Korean Virgin Mary of Peace" mosaic at the Vatican Gardens on Sept. 20. Yonhap

A mosaic depicting the Virgin Mary dressed in the traditional Korean clothing, or "hanbok," was unveiled in the Vatican Gardens, Friday, marking the first time a Korean artwork has been installed in the historic site.

The "Korean Virgin Mary of Peace" mosaic, measuring 100 by 150 centimeters, was installed as part of a collection of Virgin Mary mosaics from around the world on the "Bastione Maestro," a wall that serves as the border of Vatican City.

The mosaic, which shows the Virgin Mary and Baby Jesus dressed in hanbok, is intended to symbolize a hope for peace and an end to war, according to artists Shim Soon-hwa and Yun Hae-young, who created the piece.

Cardinal Lazzaro You Heung-sik, prefect of the Dicastery for the Clergy, played a key role in the mosaic's installation.

He proposed the idea to Pope Francis in May 2023, and with the sponsorship of a local manufacturer, the project was completed swiftly.

During the blessing ceremony, Cardinal You emphasized the significance of the mosaic, particularly given the ongoing division of the Korean Peninsula and global conflicts.

"In such a chaotic time, the dedication of the Korean Virgin Mary mosaic in the Vatican Gardens holds great significance," he said.

The ceremony was attended by more than 100 representatives from the Korean Catholic church, including bishops on a regular visit to the Vatican, who celebrated the event with enthusiastic applause.

Fernando Vergez Alzaga, president of the Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State, congratulated the occasion, saying, "From now on, those who pass through this place will remember your country and pray for peace on the Korean Peninsula."

The Vatican Gardens, located within the smallest country in the world, have served as the walking paths for past popes. The addition of the Korean mosaic brings the total number of Virgin Mary mosaics on the Bastione Maestro wall to 12, with South Korea joining countries such as Colombia, the Dominican Republic, and the Philippines.

Cardinal You, the first Korean to serve as a prefect of a Vatican dicastery, has been instrumental in raising the profile of the Korean Catholic church.

Last September, he led the installation of a statue of Saint Andrew Kim Tae-gon, Korea's first priest, on the outer wall of St. Peter's Basilica. (Yonhap)