North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un has invited Pope Francis to meet in Pyongyang, a South Korean spokesman said Tuesday.
Pope Francis is already set to meet with South Korean President Moon Jae-in Oct. 18 for an audience at the Vatican Apostolic Palace, where Moon will personally deliver the invitation from Kim Jong Un.
President Moon, a Catholic, will also participate in a Mass for peace on the Korean peninsula in St. Peter’s Basilica on Oct. 17 celebrated by the Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin.
During the most recent summit between Korean leaders in September, Kim told Moon that he would “greatly welcome” the pope Pyongyang, according to South Korea’s presidential office.
Twenty-five million people live in North Korea, which has one of the worst human rights records in the world. A United Nations investigation in 2014 produced a 372-page report that documented crimes against humanity, including execution, enslavement, torture, imprisonment, forced abortions, and knowingly causing prolonged starvation.
There are currently an estimated 80,000 to 120,000 people in North Korea’s six political prison camps, in which the U.S. State Department has found evidence of starvation, forced labor, and torture.
South Korean bishops have been leading Catholics in prayer for the reconciliation and unity of the divided Korean peninsula for decades.
Full story at Catholic News Agency.
Maybe the pope will let Kim choose some bishops too. Ugh! Stay home Francis, your pontificate is crumbling, don’t take it on the road.
Kristen,
Are there any Catholics in North Korea? My guess is that Mr. Kim wants money in return for favors.
South Korea has the Catholics, 11% of their population, 5.8 million people. My point was that Pope Francis has sold out Chinese Catholics by allowing the Communist government a role in selecting bishops. He is like a politician who goes on the road when things get tough. Better to stay home and address the massive problems at his doorstep.
The only right way of dealing with communist regimes is the way of martyr Cardinal Aloysius Stepinac, who refused to bow down to communists in former Yugoslavia, refused their offer of separate national Catholic Church with him as the head of it, with no ties to Rome. He was tried in a mock trial, sentenced to prison, and ultimately died from radiation induced cancer. He stayed faithful to God and His Church. He showed how to defend the Church and suffer for Her. Many of today’s Bishops and Cardinals, and even Pope have much to learn from this faithful son of the Church.
That lunatic in N. Korea could make a fortune in ransom by “detaining” the Pope indefinitely while visiting.
Pope Francis……stay home.
Frank, do you mean people would pay to keep Francis put of Rome?
The Pope should not be seen with this cruel,vile, murdeous dictator. Trump did considerable damage to our country’s reputation by meeting with this megalomaniac.
Kim had to borrow a plane from China to meet President Trump in Singapore. I suggest the Pope also make Kim travel some distance.
Look at the sell-out of the faithful underground church Francis accomplished. That’s one less irritation to the Chinese communists. Looks to me like Kim is looking for a similar favor.
What a situation to think about. Hope whatever the popes decides it would be better for HIm.