Pope Francis' Message Commemorating the 200th Anniversary of Father Kim Daegeon's Birth

Pope Francis [Photo by Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Byung-hee] On the 21st (local time), Pope Francis sent a special blessing message filled with affection to the Korean people and the faithful on the occasion of the 200th anniversary of the birth of Saint Kim Dae-geon Andrea (1821?1846).

The Pope blessed, "On this joyful day commemorating the 200th anniversary of the birth of Saint Kim Dae-geon Andrea, I hope this message reaches all the beloved faithful in the Republic of Korea," and said, "This joyful anniversary is a model witness of heroic faith." He added, "It is an opportunity for us to offer our prayers to God the Father who sent Saint Kim Dae-geon Andrea, an apostle who tirelessly preached the Gospel even during times when the Korean people suffered persecution and pain."

He also said, "The saint joyfully revealed the hope that God's love overcomes hatred and that good always triumphs," emphasizing that all who have been baptized should follow this example and rediscover their mission as workers of peace and hope, ready to approach those in need of brotherly love.

In this context, the Pope once again expressed his gratitude for the vaccine-sharing campaign initiated by the Korean church worldwide as the first effort to help poor countries suffering from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The vaccine-sharing campaign was first launched by the Diocese of Daejeon in November last year when Archbishop Lazarus Yoo Heung-sik was the diocesan bishop, and in March this year, it was expanded to all dioceses in Korea following the decision of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Korea. As of this month, the total amount raised is reported to exceed 5 million dollars (approximately 5.9 billion won).

The Pope also conveyed his hope for the establishment of peace on the Korean Peninsula.

Recalling the statement in the encyclical "Fratelli Tutti," released in October last year, that "there is no end to building social peace in a nation. It is an unceasing task requiring everyone's effort," the Pope said, "I pray that all those dedicated to reconciliation on the Korean Peninsula will continue to be good artisans of peace."

The Pope's message was read at the 200th anniversary memorial Mass for Father Kim Dae-geon held at St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican, presided over by Archbishop Yoo, the Prefect of the Vatican's Clergy Congregation. Archbishop Yoo personally read the message.

The 200th anniversary memorial Mass for Saint Kim Dae-geon Andrea was celebrated by about 100 attendees, including Korean priests, monks, nuns, and laypeople studying in the local area, presided over by Archbishop Lazarus Yoo Heung-sik, Prefect of the Vatican's Congregation for the Causes of Saints. The Mass was conducted in Korean for about an hour. This was the first Korean-language Mass at St. Peter's Basilica in about six years and five months. Previously, a Korean Mass was held here in March 2015 during the regular visit of the Korean bishops to the Vatican, the year after Pope Francis's visit to Korea.

The Mass will be broadcast on Catholic Peace Broadcasting Corporation in early next month, which is the "Month of Martyrs."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.