NEWS

Rediff.com » News

Pope starts Asia visit with call for peace
August 15, 2014
Pope Francis arrived in South Korea on Thursday for his first trip to Asia as pontiff, kicking off a five-day visit that will showcase the Vatican's efforts to spread the faith on a continent where just 3% of the population is Catholic.

The opening day of the visit'"Pope Francis' third abroad and the first papal trip to Asia since St. John Paul II went to India in 1999'"included meetings with bishops and South Korean President Park Geun-hye, who said the pontiff's decision to make the trip demonstrated his special interest in the country'"whose population is 10% Catholic'"and a desire to bring peace to a divided continent.
© 2024 Rediff.com