North Korean leader Kim Jong Un appeared publicly with his daughter, Ju Ae, during a New Year’s Day visit to the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun, a symbolic site honoring the country’s founding leaders.

Images from the state news agency KCNA show Ju Ae standing between her parents in the main hall of the mausoleum, a moment that analysts say has fueled speculation about her future role in the regime.

Ju Ae has been featured more often in state media over the past three years, fueling speculation by analysts and South Korea’s intelligence agency that she may be positioned as a potential successor to Kim Jong Un.

The appearance comes amid a longstanding tradition in North Korea, where Kim visits the mausoleum on key dates and anniversaries to reinforce the legitimacy of the nuclear-armed country's dynastic heritage.

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North Korea has never confirmed Ju Ae’s age, and her exact age remains unknown, but she is believed to be around 12 or 13.

After being publicly introduced in North Korea in 2022, Ju Ae made her first public appearance outside of her home country while accompanying her father on a trip to Beijing in September, his first visit to China in years, a move analysts said may signal her role as North Korea’s heir-in-waiting.

Ju Ae's existence was inadvertently revealed by retired NBA star Dennis Rodman over a decade ago in an interview with The Guardian.

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Rodman told reporters during a 2013 trip to Pyongyang he had "held the baby Ju Ae," while calling Kim Jong Un a "good dad."

Parenting expert Kirsty Ketley told Fox News Digital in September that placing Ju Ae in the global spotlight at a young age could have lasting consequences.

"She’s being shaped into a role rather than being supported to figure out who she is as an individual, and that pressure could have a huge impact on her mental health," she said. 

Fox News Digital's Emma Bussey and Reuters contributed to this report.

Pope Leo XIV opened the new year Thursday with an appeal to the world for peace and urging people everywhere to begin 2026 by rejecting violence and committing to reconciliation.

Speaking during his first Angelus address of 2026, the pope invited the faithful to "build a year of peace by disarming our hearts and refraining from every form of violence."

Around 40,000 gathered in St. Peter’s Square in Rome to hear the pope’s New Year's Day message on the Solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God, which also coincides with World Day of Peace.

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At the start of his address, Pope Leo extended his wishes for peace and good in the new year and offered a special greeting to the president of the Italian Republic, Sergio Mattarella.

After the Angelus prayer, the pope said Jan. 1 has been marked as the World Day of Peace since 1968 at the initiative of Pope St. Paul VI.

Reflecting on the meaning of the day, Pope Leo referred to the words that came to him after his election as bishop of Rome: "Peace be with you all."

"This peace," the pope said, "is unarmed and disarming. It comes from God; it is a gift of his unconditional love, and it is entrusted to our responsibility."

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He also emphasized that peace is not something imposed by force, but a gift that needs personal conversion and choices in daily life.

Calling on Christians and all people of goodwill, Pope Leo urged them to begin immediately.

"With Christ’s grace," he said, "let us start today to build a year of peace, disarming our hearts and refraining from all violence."

The pope acknowledged that efforts to build peace are already underway across the world and expressed appreciation for individuals and organizations dedicated to ending conflict and promoting dialogue.

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In line with the peacekeeping theme, he highlighted a national peace march held Dec. 31 in Catania, Italy, and mentioned another organized by members of the Community of Sant’Egidio, known for its international peace initiatives.

Pope Leo also welcomed students and teachers from Richland, New Jersey, who were in the square watching.

At the end of the address, the pope spoke about the 800th anniversary of the death of St. Francis of Assisi, a figure also closely associated with peace.

He closed with the saint’s biblical blessing: "The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift his countenance upon you and give you peace."

Pope Leo ended by entrusting the new year to Mary, the Mother of God, asking that she guide humanity on its journey in the new year.