The meeting between President Park Geun-hye and Pope Francis on August 14 had a constant pleasant air.

President Park greeted the pope at Seoul Airport with, "Bienvenido a Corea." She added that the Korean people are also pleased to receive the pope in the nation. The pope replied by saying, "Yes, I'm also happy as well. There are many Koreans in Buenos Aires, too."

President Park Geun-hye and Pope Francis admire the gifts exchanged during their meeting at Cheong Wa Dae on August 14. (photo: Cheong Wa Dae)

 
Continuing, President Park said, "Nos vemos luego," as the pope waited to board a car. During the following afternoon's visit to Cheong Wa Dae, President Park surprised the pope by saying, "La paz es un regalo que merece la pena," which means, "Peace is a gift which is worth the effort."

While in the Yeongbingwan, Cheong Was Dae's official reception hall, President Park mentioned that her favorite Spanish phrase is, "La esperanza es lo ultimo que se pierde," meaning that hope is something one holds on to until the very last moment. The pope answered by saying that hope is a gift.

The Korean government offered a framed flower- and tree-patterned embroidered bojagi (花木紋), a traditional multipurpose wrapping cloth. The gift embodies the pope's grand ideal of encapsulating love for all of humanity. (photo: Cheong Wa Dae)

The pope presented a printed, realistic and intricate map of the city of Rome engraved on copper and made to celebrate 'The Major Jubilee' in 2000. It was initially given to the pope by the Vatican Apostolic Library. (photo: Cheong Wa Dae)

While going into the elevator, President Park asked the pope to get on first, but the pope said that, as a principle in Argentina, "ladies are first." The president insisted that popes are an exception, so, in the end, the pope got on first.

President Park was also worried about the pope's possible jetlag after such a long journey, as he has said that it normally takes him at least three days to adjust. President Park made a humorous comment about the pope having to leave Korea just as he adjusts to the jetlag.

Pope Francis left an entry in the Cheong Wa Dae guestbook before meeting with President Park. "I extend my gratitude to this warm country's welcome, where there are diverse traditions and efforts toward peace and spreading the message." (photo: Cheong Wa Dae)

 
President Park and the pope exchanged meaningful gifts as well.

Park offered a flower- and tree-patterned embroidered bojagi (花木紋), a traditional multipurpose wrapping cloth, incased in a frame. This work of art took a local artist six months to complete using 30 different kinds of thread and white silk produced locally. Presidential spokesperson Min Gyeong-wook explained that a bojagi is a cloth used to wrap things, keep them safe and/or carry them around. He said that coincides with the pope's grand mission of, "Embracing humanity with love." The president added, "I hope you find it befitting."

The pope's gift was a copper print of the city of Rome. The print is one of a 300-piece limited edition celebrating "The Major Jubilee" in the year 2000. The Vatican Apostolic Library had given this copy to the pope. In Roman Catholic tradition, a jubilee is the 50th year after seven sabbaticals have passed, when debts are forgiven and slaves are freed. Pope John Paul II claimed the year 2000 as a major jubilee. As Park listened to the pope's explanations, she expressed her thanks and added that, "This is far more intricate than I ever imagined."

By Wi Tack-whan, Paik Hyun
Korea.net Staff Writers
whan23@korea.kr