Could Pope Francis visit North Korea in the near future?
It seems increasingly likely after the North Korean leader signaled that he wants to invite the pope to the North.
President Moon Jae-in is expected to deliver Kim's message to Pope Francis when they meet at the Vatican next week.
Shin Se-min reports.
President Moon Jae-in, set to depart on a 5-nation trip to Europe this weekend,... will also make a stop at the Vatican for a meeting with Pope Francis.
The top office says the president will be conveying a message from his North Korean counterpart-- on possibly inviting the Pope to Pyeongyang.
"President Moon will relay a message of invitation to Pope Francis from the North Korean leader that he will “passionately welcome” the Pope, should he visit the capital Pyeongyang."
And such an invitation from the North dates back to the Inter-Korean summit in the North Korean capital last month.
President Moon reportedly made the proposal to Kim Jong-un on meeting with Pope Francis, who has consistently shown a strong interest in establishing peace in the region.
The presidential office also disclosed an encounter between one of the South Korean delegation to Pyeongyang summit, Archbishop Hyginues Kim Hee-jung and Kim Jong-un.
The visiting Archbishop reportedly told the North Korean leader that he would relay to the Vatican that the two Koreas are working in the direction of reconciliation and peace,... to which, Kim Jong-un responded by asking him to send the message.
If the Pope, who has shown great interest and consistent support in establishing peace on the Korean Peninsula, does accept the invitation,... it would be the first time that the head of the Roman Catholic Church has ever visited the North.
"Perhaps also on a mission to help the regime make connections with the world-- while proceeding with a quest to bring peace in the region, President Moon will be sitting down with Pope Francis at the Vatican during his stay there from October 17th to 18th.
Shin Se-min, Arirang News."
