“I hope the message from Pope Francis of reconciliation, peace and unity can reach the world and go beyond the Korean Peninsula,” said Archbishop of Seoul and Cardinal of Korea Andrew Yeom Soo-jung during a blessing ceremony on August 13. The ceremony was held a day ahead of the papal visit at the main press center, located at the Lotte Hotel Seoul.



The cardinal said in the sermon that, “The papal visit is a great joy and blessing for the whole of Asia, not just for Catholics in Korea. I can feel the grace of the Lord, which is unfathomable by both earthly churches and society.” Yeom said that the pope will visit Korea to deliver the Gospel. “The pope will have meaningful time to remember the Korean martyrs who spent their lives with the joy of the Gospel, and meet the youth of Asia,” he added.



The cardinal said, “The role of the media is very important during the papal visit. I hope the media can report the news with a proper conscience, and that the audience can accept their reports with a proper discernment so that the media can be used for the glory of the Lord and for the benefit of all.”


Singer Insooni and actresses Kim Hae-sook and Chae Shi-ra visited the press center to meet the cardinal as PR ambassadors for the papal visit. Actress Kim Hae-sook said, “The papal visit is a great honor. It will be a blessing for all of us, not just for Catholics.” Insooni and Chae Shi-ra said, “The papal visit will offer an opportunity to overcome many difficulties. His message of peace and reconciliation will reach the whole world, beyond Korea and Asia.”

By Jeon Han, Yoon Sojung
Korea.net Staff Writers
hanjeon@korea.kr