Pope expresses hope for a “moral rebirth” in South Korea

Posted on : 2014-04-26 15:48 KST Modified on : 2014-04-26 15:48 KST
Pope Francis has made condolences for victims of Sewol ferry sinking, and will visit South Korea in August

By Cho Yeon-hyun, religion correspondent

Pope Francis expressed hope that the sinking of the Sewol ferry last week would be an opportunity for the “moral rebirth” of the South Korean people, said a South Korean bishop who met him at the Vatican on Apr. 24.

Bishop Lazzaro You Heung-sik of the Daejeon Diocese met privately with the Pope in his capacity as general director for the 6th Asian Youth Day, an event to be held at the Daegu Diocese in August with the Pope in attendance.

“The Pope expressed his condolences for the loss of so many lives, and said that he ‘hoped the South Korean people take the Sewol tragedy as an occasion for moral and spiritual rebirth,’” You said on Apr. 25.

You also said the Pope expressed high expectations for his South Korea visit.

“He described the history of the South Korean Catholic church - a unique and unusual example where the Gospel was spread by laypeople - and the many martyrs to the faith here as a ‘miracle performed by God,’” You said.

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