These days, the hottest destination for “bread pilgrimages” — touring famous bakeries — is unquestionably Sungsimdang in Daejeon. In particular, the flagship Cake Boutique at 153 Eunhaeng-dong, Jung District, Daejeon, has become such an icon that the area is now known as “Sungsimdang-gil.” (Yonhap)
SEOUL & DAEJEON, Jan. 2 (Korea Bizwire) — Pope Leo XIV has sent a rare message of congratulations to Seongsimdang (or Sungsimdang), a beloved bakery in the central city of Daejeon, praising its seven decades of business rooted in social solidarity and care for the poor.
According to local reports, the message was delivered through Cardinal Lazarus You Heung-sik, head of the Vatican’s Dicastery for the Clergy, who personally conveyed the pope’s words during a recent visit to South Korea. Seongsimdang is marking its 70th anniversary this year.
In the message, Pope Leo XIV offered his blessing to the historic bakery and commended its longstanding commitment to what he described as an “economy for all,” a Catholic social movement that prioritizes human dignity and the common good.
Pope Leo XIV (Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons/CCL)
He praised Seongsimdang for promoting fraternity and solidarity within both civic and church communities, particularly through its support for the most vulnerable members of society, and encouraged the bakery to continue its mission.
The “economy for all” concept, referenced by the pope, is a Catholic economic philosophy that emerged from the Focolare movement and calls for businesses to place people and shared prosperity at the center of economic activity. Seongsimdang formally adopted the model in 1999 and has since been recognized for integrating charitable practices into its daily operations.
Founded by Lim Gil-soon, a devout Catholic, Seongsimdang has long been associated with acts of charity. Lim was known for distributing a portion of his daily bread production to those in need, a tradition the bakery continues today by donating unsold bread to welfare centers and nursing homes. Its close ties to the Catholic Church are also reflected in its name, which refers to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Mary.
Sungsimdang’s breads have become items you can only buy by traveling to Daejeon, and the bakery is widely credited with reviving the declining old downtown district, earning strong support from the local community. (Yonhap)
The name “Seongsim” (聖心, Sacred Heart) means “the holy heart of love” and refers to both the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary. The Sacred Heart of Jesus signifies Christ’s loving heart as revealed through the Incarnation for the salvation of humanity, the Eucharist, and his Passion and death.
The Immaculate Heart of Mary represents the love of the Virgin Mary, who, as God’s faithful handmaid, participated in Christ’s work of salvation. Devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary is closely connected to devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Cardinal You, who developed a personal connection with the bakery during his tenure at Daeheung-dong Cathedral in the 1980s, said he shared Seongsimdang’s story with the pope, who expressed surprise and admiration at its longevity and values.
The bakery has previously drawn Vatican recognition: during Pope Francis’s 2014 visit to South Korea, Seongsimdang bread was served at the pontiff’s breakfast, and members of the Lim family later received papal honors for their contributions to the church.
The pope’s message has resonated widely in South Korea, highlighting how a local bakery’s faith-driven business model has earned recognition at the highest levels of the Catholic Church.
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
