"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."
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.
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 a
nd comfort women, who were forced to sexual slavery by the Japanese in World War II, in attendance." CNN
And out of one of them came forth a little horn, which waxed exceeding great,
toward the south, and toward the east, and toward the pleasant land.
Daniel 8:9
"North Korea has apparently declined an invitation to send Catholic believers to a mass celebrated by Pope Francis in Seoul later this month, a South Korean Church official said.
The Catholic Church, like any other religion, is only allowed to operate in North Korea under extremely tight restrictions, and within the confines of the state-controlled KCA.
It has no hierarchical links with the Vatican and there are no known Catholic priests or nuns.
The KCA claims 3,000 followers in the North but outside estimates put the figure at around 800. Some analysts believe the organisation is intended to give the impression that North Korea allows religious freedom,..."
TheGuardian
It has no hierarchical links with the Vatican and there are no known Catholic priests or nuns.
The KCA claims 3,000 followers in the North but outside estimates put the figure at around 800. Some analysts believe the organisation is intended to give the impression that North Korea allows religious freedom,..."
TheGuardian