05/06/2026
🇻🇦🥋 Historic moment at the Vatican
World Taekwondo President Dr. Chungwon Choue presented an honorary 10th Dan certificate, the highest rank in Taekwondo, to His Holiness Pope Leo XIV during the General Audience in Vatican City.
The recognition highlights Pope Leo XIV’s commitment to peace, human dignity and humanitarian work, values deeply connected to the spirit of Taekwondo.
President Choue was joined by leaders from World Taekwondo, Kukkiwon, FITA and the Oceania Taekwondo Federation, along with WT and FITA Performance Team members and seven young Syrian refugee athletes from the Azraq and Za’atari Camps.
💬 Pope Leo XIV warmly praised World Taekwondo and the Taekwondo Humanitarian Foundation for their dedication to refugees, saying it was a true joy to meet the children from the camps.
A lighthearted moment also took place when President Choue, noting the Pope’s passion for tennis, jokingly suggested that His Holiness might wear the dobok on the court, bringing a hearty laugh from the Pope.
The meeting also marked the 10th founding anniversary of the Taekwondo Humanitarian Foundation, which continues to empower refugees and displaced people around the world through sport.
🌍 The refugee athletes, aged between 7 and 14, will also take part in the Kim & Liù Tournament at Foro Italico in Rome, alongside the World Para Taekwondo Grand Prix and the World Taekwondo Grand Prix.
🥋 Reborn Together
🕊 Peace, dignity and hope through Taekwondo
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10/01/2026