Pope Francis Voices: Hope for Korean Peace and Grief for Ferry Victims
'I came here thinking of Peace and Reconciliation on the Korean Peninsula,' the pope told President Park who greeted him at a military airport south of Seoul, the capital.
Underscoring the military tensions on the peninsula, North Korea fired 3 short-range rockets off its east coast shortly before the pope’s arrival. After his plane landed, the North fired 2 more rockets. North Korea has conducted such launches frequently in recent months.
The pope’s trip is widely seen as indicative of the Vatican’s increasing interest in Asia, where Roman Catholicism is a minority religion in most countries but is growing quickly, reflecting a shift away from the church’s traditional geographic base.
Francis impressed many South Koreans with his humble touch when he chose to ride to the Vatican Embassy in a Kia Soul hatchback, one of the smallest cars in the country. His security details and other officials followed in big sedans.
'The pope rode in a Soul because he is full of soul. Soul Soul Seoul!' wrote a South Korean on his Twitter account. Another Twitter user praised the pope as 'a real leader not only because he rejected pomposity and vanity but also because he showed concern about global warming.'
During his 5 day visit, the pope plans to attend Asian Youth Day, a gathering of young Catholics, and to beatify 124 Catholics who were killed amid religious persecution in the 18th and 19th century.
For South Korea, the pope’s trip comes after a troubling few months. The country is still in grief over the loss of more than 300 people, mostly high school students, in the April 16 sinking of the Sewol Ferry Disaster off the southwestern coast. At a brief welcoming ceremony at the airport, the pope met with the father of an 18-year-old student who died in the Sewol Ferry Disaster, and with 3 other people who also lost one of their family members.
'My heart aches for you,' the pope said. 'I remember the victims.'
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http://www.nytimes.com/2014/08/15/world/asia/in-south-korea-pope-francis-offers-consolation-and-hope-for-peace.html?_r=1
Pope Francis urges dialogue
as he begins South Korea visit
The Pope's call for Peace came hours after North Korea fired 5 short-range rockets around the time of his arrival.
It is his 1st visit to Asia since he became pope in March 2013.
Pope Francis will beatify Korean Catholics who died for their faith, attend a Catholic Youth Festival and conduct a 'Reconciliation' Mass.
In a speech addressed to South Korean President Park and senior officials, the Pope said Reconciliation on the Korean Peninsula had implications for 'the stability of the entire area and indeed of the whole war-weary world.'
'Diplomacy... is based on the firm and persevering conviction that peace can be won through quiet listening and dialogue, rather than by mutual recriminations, fruitless criticisms and displays of force,' he said.
He also called on Koreans to set an example for future generations. 'I think it is especially important for us to reflect on the need to give our young people the Gift of Peace,' he said.
Earlier in the day, North Korea fired 3 rockets off its east coast as the Pope's plane approached South Korean airspace. It fired another 2 in the afternoon.
Pyongyang has engaged in several such launches in recent months in what it says is a response to US and South Korean provocations - in the latest case, a military drill due to start on Monday.
The Pope is spending 5 days in South Korea, where the Catholic Church is growing. It currently has just over 5.4 million members, some 10.4% of the population.
Pope Francis will pay tribute to some of South Korea's 1st Catholics when he beatifies 124 Koreans who died in the 18th and 19th Centuries. After an individual is beatified, he or she is given the title 'Blessed'.
The ceremony will be held on Saturday at Gwanghwamun Square in central Seoul, with up to one million people expected to attend.
The pontiff is also attending Asian Youth Day, a festival for young Catholics from across the region, and will meet students who survived the Sewol Ferry Disaster.
On the last day of his visit, on Monday, the Pope plans to hold a 'Reconciliation' Mass in the Myeong-dong Cathedral in Seoul.
He will deliver a Message of Peace for the Divided Korea and East Asia, according to Yonhap News Agency.
North Korea rejected an invitation by the Archdiocese of Seoul for 10 North Korean Catholics to attend the final mass, South Korean officials said.
It is not clear how many Catholics there are in North Korea. A UN Human Rights Council report released in February 2014 said that apart from the few organised state-controlled churches, Christians were prohibited from practicing their religion and were persecuted.
Pope John Paul II was the last pope to visit South Korea in 1989, where he prayed for Reunification between the North and the South Korea.
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-28768880
It is very encouraging to see that worldwide religious leaders are practicing for Peace and Reconciliation of the world. As long as God lives, World Peace shall come true on the earth in order for us to live in peace and love as God does, only if we all arise and shine on the Light of Truth as God promised for so long. For Peace is a Precious Gift of God.
Amen.
The Lord rises upon you and his glory appears over you. Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn~!
답글삭제I hope peace
답글삭제Good!
답글삭제Peace is a Precious Gift of God.
답글삭제Peace is can be answer
답글삭제Only peace can!!!