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Pope Begins Visit to South Korea Pope Begins Visit to South Korea
(12 days later)
SEOUL, South Korea — Pope Francis arrived here on Thursday on the first papal visit to South Korea in a quarter-century, stepping off the plane onto a red carpet and greeting President Park Geun-hye. SEOUL, South Korea — Pope Francis arrived here on Thursday on the first papal visit to South Korea in a quarter-century, stepping off the plane onto a red carpet and greeting President Park Geun-hye.
The pope was also greeted by descendants of Korean martyrs and relatives of people who died in the sinking of a South Korean ferry in April. Some elderly Catholics wiped away tears.The pope was also greeted by descendants of Korean martyrs and relatives of people who died in the sinking of a South Korean ferry in April. Some elderly Catholics wiped away tears.
During his five-day visit, Francis plans to beatify 124 Korean martyrs and encourage a vibrant and growing Roman Catholic Church here.During his five-day visit, Francis plans to beatify 124 Korean martyrs and encourage a vibrant and growing Roman Catholic Church here.
As his plane flew through Chinese airspace, Francis sent a telegram of greetings and prayers to President Xi Jinping of China. It was a rare opportunity for an exchange, because the Holy See and China do not have diplomatic relations.As his plane flew through Chinese airspace, Francis sent a telegram of greetings and prayers to President Xi Jinping of China. It was a rare opportunity for an exchange, because the Holy See and China do not have diplomatic relations.
The telegram, sent early Thursday as Francis headed toward South Korea, read, “Upon entering Chinese airspace, I extend best wishes to your excellency and your fellow citizens, and I invoke the divine blessings of peace and well-being upon the nation.”The telegram, sent early Thursday as Francis headed toward South Korea, read, “Upon entering Chinese airspace, I extend best wishes to your excellency and your fellow citizens, and I invoke the divine blessings of peace and well-being upon the nation.”
Vatican protocol calls for the pope to send telegrams to heads of state whenever he flies through their airspace. Usually they pass unnoticed. The last time a pope wanted to fly over China, in 1989, the Chinese government declined to give permission.Vatican protocol calls for the pope to send telegrams to heads of state whenever he flies through their airspace. Usually they pass unnoticed. The last time a pope wanted to fly over China, in 1989, the Chinese government declined to give permission.
Francis said recently that he had sent a letter to Mr. Xi upon his election and had received a reply.Francis said recently that he had sent a letter to Mr. Xi upon his election and had received a reply.