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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. | |
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. |
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