Pope Francis


Korean Catholic church (2000)

Jorge Bergoglio led a ministry in 1992 when he was coadjutor archbishop of Flores, a neighborhood of Buenos Aires. Flores is one of the regions populated by Korean immigrants to Argentina about 50 years ago. This church was where Archbishop Bergoglio first established ties with Korean Catholics.



Mass celebrated at a Korean Catholic church (1993)

Archbishop Bergoglio celebrated Mass at a Korean Catholic church in 1993. Pictured is Archbishop Bergoglio and Korean priests praying during the service.


A letter from Korea (1993)

Archbishop Bergoglio prayed for the volunteers in need of employment at the Alvarez General Hospital. The letter was officially sent by the archbishop to invite the Little Servants of the Holy Family of Seoul to come to Argentina, as recommended by the Rev. Moon Han-rim.


Welcoming Mass (1993)

Mass was celebrated to welcome new volunteers from Korea, in April 1993. Archbishop Bergoglio's prayers seemed to have been answered. The sisters of the Little Servants of the Holy Family of Seoul carried out volunteer activities to help the poor and the outcast over the next 20 years.


"A white Rose" (1993)

Archbishop Bergoglio offered a prayer to invite Korean nuns to come to Argentina to conduct volunteer activities. He asked for a sign, a white rose. At the Welcoming Mass, a white rose was placed in a vase in the tabernacle.


Archbishop Bergoglio and Korean nuns (1993)

Archbishop Bergoglio always showed special attention to and care for Korean believers. The nuns of the Little Servants of the Holy Family of Seoul say that they still feel familiar and friendly with him, like a father. He would gladly greet us, the order said.


Archbishop Bergoglio and nuns from Korea (1993)

Archbishop Bergoglio built a strong relationship with the nuns. To the sisters, who didn't speak much Spanish, he said, "God will understand all. Show your smile and joy will be the proof of life."


Nuns offer their services at the Alvarez General Hospital and in Chaco Province (2009)

Through to today, the nuns are regularly dispatched to offer their services at hospitals and in Chaco Province. In January 2013, they received an award as "Volunteer Service of the Year," from the Ladies of the Rotary Club of Buenos Aires Association, in recognition of their dedication and hard work for the community.



Welcome to Korea, Pope Francis.

An Argentine daily, Clarin, gave a present to the Korean Cultural Center in Argentina in celebration of the pope's visit to Korea. It was a caricature of the pope himself, drawn by the editorial cartoonist Crist.


The Ordination of Archbishop Moon Han-rim (2014)

When Pope Francis was coadjutor archbishop of Flores, the Rev. Moon Han-rim became the archbishop of the Archdiocese of San Martin, in Argentina. Moon thus became the first Korean to become an archbishop in Argentina.


Cardinal Designation Ceremony for Archbishop Yeom Soo-jung (2014)

Cardinal Yeom said that Pope Francis gave him a hug and told him that he loves Korea. He replied that Koreans love him, too.


Cardinal Cheong Jin-suk is granted an audience with the pope (2013)

"I had a chance to have a meal with Pope Francis, sitting at the same table. He had nice, humane qualities and had a lot of personal charm. He was open to sharing with us day-to-day conversation topics. I was sure that God sent us the right person as our pope, a man this era is in need of."


Bishop You Heung-sik, from the Diocese of Daejeon, has a one-on-one talk with the pope (2013)

Pope Francis showed great love and interest in Korea and in Korean Catholics. He is known to have said that Catholicism was spread in Korea by lay people. He said that this is very unique and special, and he sees it as a miracle made by God.


A reunion with U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon (2013)

U.N. Secretary-General Ban stressed that the U.N.'s Millennium Development Goals are a commitment to the needy and that Pope Francis is a voice for them, as well.


A reunion with the Rev. John Oh, the founder of the Kkottongnae (2013)

Pope Francis showed special interest in the "Town of Flowers," or the "Kkottongnae." As proof of his love, the pope held his arms over his head to make the shape of a heart with the Rev. John Oh Wung-jin. He gave presents of rosary beads to the visitors.


Priests and nuns from Korea are granted an audience by Pope Francis (2013)

The Rev. Oh explained to the pope that, "When I was a kid in elementary school, I witnessed the misery of refugees during the Korean War. Then I came up with this idea that I should dedicate myself to creating this town."


A Town of Flowers opens in Argentina.

There is a Town of Flowers located in Eumseong, North Chungcheong Province. It is a social facility for the disabled and homeless. The Rev. Oh, founder of the town, has proposed to the pope that he create an Argentine branch, since he was then president of the Episcopal Conference of Argentina. The plan became successful earlier this year. Pope Francis is scheduled to visit the Korean Town of Flowers to meet disabled children this August. Pictured is the headquarters of the Town of Flowers project, in Haiti.


A Christmas card from Pope Francis to the Little Servants of the Holy Family (2013)

Even after he left for Rome, Pope Francis continued to show his care and support for the Korean nuns working at the Alvarez General Hospital, with whom he established ties some 20 years ago.


Cardinal Poli gives a congratulatory speech at the House of the Province of Buenos Aires on July 16, 2014.


Argentine singer O. Faccia, famous for her song "Voice for World Peace," or "Voz por la Paz en el Mundo," showcased a performance in 2014 with Korea's Chascomus Children Orchestra. (2014)


Renowned Soprano P. Almerares sings Schubert's "Ave Maria" in a concert in celebration of the pope's visit to Korea. (2014)


The musical troupe sings "Arirang," a traditional Korean folk song listed since 2012 as a UNESCO intangible cultural heritage item. (2014)


Many people helped to prepare the musical performance in celebration of the pope's visit to Korea. (2014)

*All photos and materials courtesy of Korean Cultural Center in Argentina