Pope Francis appealed for Korean Reconciliation in a message sent to all the faithful of “our dear South Korea on this day of the Jubilee of the bicentenary of the birth of Saint Andrew Kim Taegon. The Holy Father thanked the entire Korean ecclesial community for its generosity in supporting the vaccination campaign against COVID-19 in the poorest countries.

“Vatican News” also reports that the Pontiff raises his prayers to God in thanksgiving for having given the people of South Korea, in the person of Saint Andrew Kim, “an exemplary witness of heroic faith and tireless apostle of evangelization in difficult times, marked by persecution and the suffering of that people.”

The Pope adds that Kim Taegon, the first Korean Catholic priest, together with his companions, “showed with joyful hope that the good always prevails because God’s love triumphs over hatred.” He is a witness of current importance as today also — given the many manifestations of evil that disfigure man’s beautiful face, created in the image and likeness of God, it is necessary to rediscover the importance of the mission of every baptized person, called to be everywhere a laborer of peace and hope, ready, as the Good Samaritan, to bend over the wounds of all those that need love, help or simply a brotherly look.”

Korea During the Pandemic

In his message, states “Vatican News,” the Holy Father takes advantage of the occasion to express his heartfelt thanks “to all the Korean ecclesial community for its generosity in supporting the anti-COVID vaccination campaign in the poorest countries.”

“Its sensitivity and care to the weakest members of the Body of Christ encourages us to serve others and represents, at the same time, a strong invitation to greater commitment in the cause of the last. Thank you,” concluded the Bishop of Rome.

Reconciliation of the Korean Peninsula

 Finally, the Successor of Peter mentions his encyclical Fratelli Tutti. “There is no final point in the building of social peace in a country, rather, it is a task that doesn’t let up and that calls for the commitment of all.”

Pope Francis  “hopes” that those working for the reconciliation of the Korean Peninsula will continue with renewed commitment to be good pacifiers, “encouraging all to engage in a respectful and constructive dialogue for an ever more brilliant future.

Translation by Virginia M. Forrester