President Park Geun-hye has invited Pope Francis to visit Korea, expressing her hope that he can greatly help to heal conflicts across the peninsula. During a meeting with Cardinal Fernando Filoni, Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, at Cheong Wa Dae on October 2, President Park asked for a papal visit to the country, though she is aware of the Pope’s busy schedule.

President Park said, “The humane and benevolent public image of the new pope gives all believers a good impression,” and that she is, “deeply touched by his special interest in troubled regions.”



Cardinal Filoni presented a rosary made with pearls to President Park, a “very special gift” from Pope Francis. President Park said she saw Pope Francis pray for peace in Korea during his Easter mass this past March and expressed her gratitude for “his special interest” in this country.

President Park, Cardinal Filoni and Archbishop Osvaldo Padilla, Apostolic Nuncio to Korea, discussed ways in which relations between Korea and the Holy See can be improved, in honor of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two. They also discussed a potential papal visit to Korea and issues surrounding a peace settlement for the Korean Peninsula.

By Yoon Sojung
Korea.net Staff Writer
arete@korea.kr