South Korean bishop says visit by Pope Francis to North Korea would be ‘gigantic step’ towards peace
Senior clergy member says first papal visit to the reclusive country is ‘a dream that can be realised’
A trip by Pope Francis to North Korea is “a dream that can be realised” and would be a gigantic step towards peace on the Korean peninsula, a senior South Korean bishop said on Thursday.
The bishop, Lazarus You Heung-sik of Daejeon, spoke ahead of a meeting next week in the Vatican between Francis and South Korean President Moon Jae-in, who will be carrying an invitation from North Korean leader Kim Jong-un to visit Pyongyang.
“If the pope goes there, it will be a gigantic step, a qualitative step for the Korean peninsula, for its pacification,” said You, who was in Rome for a meeting of bishops from around the world known as a synod.
“North Korea could enter the world community as a normal country. I know how much the pope, on various occasions, has called for pacification on the Korean peninsula,” You told a news conference.
Kim told Moon of his wish to meet the pope during a meeting last month, South Korea’s presidential office said on Tuesday. The pope is expected to visit Japan next year.
Moon, who will be on a tour of Europe, will meet the pope on October 18. The day before, Moon will attend a special “Mass for Peace” on the Korean peninsula at St. Peter’s Basilica.