Moon Jae-in received at the Vatican on Thursday by the Pope

After his visit to his French counterpart, the South Korean leader was received by the pope at the Vatican.

Pope Francis received for the first time in the Vatican the South Korean President, Moon Jae-In, a diplomatic visit that supports the role played by the Bishop of Rome in relaxing on the Korean peninsula.

Moon Jae-in met the Pope, the Cardinal Secretary of State, Pietro Parolin, and the Secretary of State Relations, Paul Richard Gallagher, where the meeting was cordial. The positive contribution of the Church in the areas of social, education and health, as well as in promoting dialogue and reconciliation between the two Koreas, was emphasized by both parties.

Pope Francis is ready to go to North Korea if leader Kim Jong Un sends him a formal invitation, he explained the pope to South Korean President Moon Jae-in.

The common commitment to promote all useful initiatives to overcome the remaining tensions on the Korean peninsula and open a new season of peace and development has been « greatly appreciated, » the Holy See continues.

« When President Moon asked the pope if Mr. Kim could send him an invitation, the pope said: What you told me is enough, but it would be nice to send a formal invitation, adding that if an invitation arrives I will respond without fail and I can go, « added the spokesman.

It is, however, common that foreign officials received at the Vatican invite the pope to their country, and then report as positive the polite response of their host. In a more formal statement, the Vatican spoke of « cordial discussions » and said that the pope had « strongly expressed his appreciation for the common commitment to promote all useful initiatives to overcome the tensions that still exist in the peninsula Korean, to allow a new season of peace and development.  »

Pope Francis visited South Korea in 2014, when relations between Seoul and Pyongyang appeared to be at a standstill.

The Korean peninsula has undergone a dramatic evolution in recent months, with several peaks that have opened up North Korea and appeased the region. Pope Francis explicitly supported these diplomatic efforts.

Bishop Lazzaro You Heung-sik, Bishop of Daejeon (South Korea) said that the conditions were not yet met for a possible apostolic trip to this country, while rejoicing at this prospect: « This invitation of the Pope to Pyongyang is important. This trip would be a gigantic step for the entire Korean peninsula, « he said. This presupposes, however, that there is already a Catholic community on the spot, stable and established, which is not yet the case according to this bishop who has visited North Korea four times in the context of humanitarian missions.

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Gabriel MIHAI

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