Given Pope Francis’ set schedule, landmark visit is not likely to come next year, a Vatican official says
In what appeared to be a setback for Seoul’s diplomacy to ease tensions on the Korean peninsula and nudge North Korea into embracing openness, the Vatican said Friday Pope Francis is unlikely to visit North Korea next year.
The possibility of the landmark visit was raised when South Korean President Moon Jae-in, during a private meeting with the pope in October, conveyed North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s desire for a papal visit to the isolated country. The Vatican responded positively, saying a formal invitation from North Korea was necessary.
Given the necessary preparations and the pope’s busy schedule, however, the visit is not likely to come next year, according to a Vatican official who asked to remain anonymous.
