South Korean president Park Geun-hye receives members of the Preparatory Commission for the papal visit: "This year is filled with Catholic occasions! We are grateful to Francis for his creating archbishop Yeom a cardinal".

Seoul (AsiaNews ) - Pope Francis "cares very much about the situation between North and South Korea.  I am very thankful to hear that the Pope has prayed publicly for the peace of Korean Peninsula. His visit is an opportunity for us all", said the South Korean president Park Geun-hye to the members of the Preparatory Commission for the papal visit during an official dinner at the presidential residence, the Blue House, in Seoul. It was the first formal meeting between Park, elected more than a year ago, and the representatives of the Catholic Church.

With an official statement released though the Holy See Press Office, the Vatican confirmed that Pope Francis will travel to Korea August 14 to 18 to participate in the Asian Youth Day and preside over the beatification ceremony of the 124 Korean martyrs . Some local Church sources have told AsiaNews that the pontiff will also preside over a Mass entirely dedicated to peace with the North , and may even a visit the "cathedral of Reconciliation" in Paju, on the border with North Korea.

The luncheon was attended by the Archbishop of Seoul, Card. Andrew Yeom Soo- jung, the Apostolic Nuncio in Korea, Archbishop Osvaldo Padillla; Commission President Msgr. Peter Kang U-il, also president of the Catholic Bishops' Conference, the Executive Director of the Commission, Msgr. Cho Kyu -man, auxiliary of the capital. During the meeting, which took place on March 14, the President said: "This year is filled with Catholic occasions! I always hoped that our nation would have a new cardinal, and the appointment of the card. Yeom is a great joy not only for the Korean Church but for the whole country".

The Park was christened with the name of Juliana, but with the passage of time has moved away from the Catholic community. Speaking about the visit in August, she said: "I am really grateful to the Pope for his interest in our situation. I am grateful that he prayed in public for peace in Korea". For his part, Card. Yeom added: "The visit of Francis is a great chance for all of us to learn once more how to love our neighbors and bring joy to the world".

 

• Korea
• francis
• catholic
• church
• pope
• visit
• north-south
• peace
• Yeom