VATICAN CITY (Reuters) – A trip by Pope Francis to North Korea is “a dream that can be realized” and would be a gigantic step toward…
VATICAN CITY (Reuters) – A trip by Pope Francis to North Korea is “a dream that can be realized” and would be a gigantic step toward 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. [L4N1WP2AI] The pope is expected to visit Japan next year.
Moon, who will be on a tour of Europe, will meet the pope on Oct. 18. The day before, Moon will attend a special “Mass for Peace” on the Korean peninsula in St.
