Pope Francis ready to respond to invitation to visit North Korea

Pope Francis ready to respond to invitation to visit North Korea

South Korea’s president has met with Pope Francis in a private audience, and his office says that the pontiff indicated his willingness to visit North Korea.

The South Korean presidential office said in a statement that President Moon Jae-in “conveyed North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s desire for a papal visit to North Korea”.

A formal invitation directly from North Korea will follow.

Vatican Pope Korea
An olive twig as a symbol for peace was Pope Francis’ gift to South Korean President Moon Jae-in (Alessandro Di Meo/AP)

Mr Kim initially indicated his desire for a papal visit during a Korean summit last month.

If it materialises, such a visit would be the first by a pope to North Korea.

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