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South Korean President Moon Jae-in gives a speech on the necessary efforts for inter-Korean peace after a special mass for peace on the Korean Peninsula officiated by Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin at the Vatican on Oct. 17. (Blue House photo pool)

“Panmunjom will now become a symbol of peace on the Korean Peninsula,” said South Korean President Moon Jae-in during his official visit to the Vatican on Oct. 17. Moon said it felt “like a dream” to deliver a speech in St. Peter’s Basilica.

After completing a “special mass for peace on the Korean Peninsula” at St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican City on Wednesday, Moon had dinner at the residence of the South Korean ambassador to the Vatican with Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, who had officiated the mass. During the two-hour dinner, Moon said that “it felt like a dream to attend mass and then speak at St. Peter’s Basilica,” according to Senior Secretary to the President for Public Relations Yoon Young-chan.

“There’s a Korean proverb that says that if you’re sincere enough, you can move the heavens. I’ve got this feeling that peace will really be achieved on the Korean Peninsula,” Moon said.

“Because of the Pyongyang Joint Declaration, we’re working on clearing mines and removing soldiers and weapons from the area around Panmunjom. Panmunjom will now become a symbol of peace on the Korean Peninsula.”

“I too think the Lord will have to answer our prayers. Our prayers have been truly intense, and I believe the Lord has heard them,” Parolin said in response.

Parolin offered Moon words of encouragement. “You took a big step when you met the North Korean leader, Your Excellency, and I think that things are going to keep going well in the future.”

“I had an eye on the crowd during your speech, Your Excellency, and all the believers seemed to be hanging on your every word. It wasn’t just another speech; they all seemed to be convinced of what you were saying.”

Parolin personally officiated over the mass for peace on the Korean Peninsula that was held at St. Peter’s Basilica. At the beginning of the mass, he delivered a greeting in Korean: “I would like to welcome Their Excellencies President Moon Jae-in and first lady Kim Jung-sook. I offer the blessing of His Holiness Pope Francis. Let us pray for peace on the Korean Peninsula.”

South Korean President Moon Jae-in and first lady Kim Jung-sook have dinner with Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin at the official residence of the South Korean ambassador to the Vatican on Oct. 17. (Blue House photo pool)

Participants at the mass smiled in apparent delight at the cardinal’s use of the Korean language. After mass, Moon delivered a commemorative speech that lasted about 12 minutes. It is “very special and unusual” for the president of a particular country to deliver such a speech, the Vatican explained. After the speech, Moon walked down from the pulpit alongside Parolin. When Moon remarked that the mass had “conveyed an earnest desire for peace on the Korean Peninsula,” Parolin replied, “Let us continue to pray.”

“I’ve been at the Vatican for nine years now, and I’ve never seen a visiting foreign leader deliver a speech before. It’s also extremely rare for Parolin to personally officiate the mass,” said a nun who attended mass. “I feel very proud.”

According to reports, the Vatican readily accepted the South Korean proposal for Moon to deliver a speech. “During the deliberations over the itinerary [of Moon’s visit], we were the first to suggest attending a mass. When the Vatican asked what the mass’s theme should be, we proposed the theme of peace on the Korean Peninsula,” said Kwon Hyeok-u, a South Korean diplomat to the Vatican.

“When the Vatican asked what President Moon wanted to do, he said he wanted to deliver a speech. The Vatican accepted this idea, leading to the rare occurrence of a presidential speech [at St. Peter’s Basilica],” Kwon said.

By Seong Yeon-cheol, staff reporter

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