Saint Andrew Kim Taegon

St. Peter's Square, Vatican City
May 2026

This statue caught my attention because it looked different from the surrounding works. The traditional Korean dress, distinctive hat, and facial features stood apart from the largely European figures that fill St. Peter's Square.

I later learned that Saint Andrew Kim Taegon was the first native Korean Catholic priest and a pivotal figure in the growth of Catholicism in Korea. He was martyred in 1846 and was later canonized by Pope John Paul II.

What first drew me to the sculpture was its contrast with its surroundings. It serves as a reminder that the Catholic Church extends far beyond Europe and reflects cultures from around the world.