Pope Francis arrives in South Korea for his first Asia visit

Pope Francis arrived in Seoul Thursday, marking the first papal visit
to the country in 25 years.
The historic visit is also a nod to Catholicism's shifting
demographics as an increasing number of believers come from Latin
America, Africa and Asia instead of its historic stronghold in Europe.

"The Pope's visit to South Korea is the first part of a very
intelligent opening to Asia," said Lionel Jensen, associate professor
of East Asian Languages and Cultures at the University of Notre Dame.
"The Pope's presence is a powerful symbol of the Vatican's recognition
that it is in Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa that the church is growing
most prominently."

Pope Francis visits South Korea
During his packed, five-day visit to South Korea, the Pope will
beatify 124 Korean martyrs, help celebrate the 6th Asian Youth Day,
which is a gathering of Asian Catholic youth, and hold Holy Mass for
Peace and Reconciliation, expected to be aimed at prayers for peace,
including South and North Korean relations.Pope Francis arrives in
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North Korea fired three short-range projectiles into the sea east of
the Korean peninsula, beginning about an hour before the Pope's
landing in Seoul, the South Korean Defense Ministry said.

The Korean peninsula remains a divided one. One of the Pope's missions
is to "go to Korea and pray for the reconciliation and peace," said
Vatican spokesman, Padre Federico Lombardi.

Pope Francis is expected to meet South Korean president, Park
Geun-hye, as well as hold Mass with family members of the victims of
the sunken Sewol ferry and comfort women, who were forced to sexual
slavery by the Japanese in World War II, in attendance.

CNN