Power Outage 70th Anniversary Blessing Message... Pope Encourages Korea to Become "Prophet of Peace"

7 Major Religious Leaders "Hope North and South Engage in Active Dialogue for Peace Settlement"

"I believe that the commemoration of the armistice agreement not only signifies the cessation of hostile acts but also points toward a bright future of reconciliation, brotherhood, and lasting harmony, not only on the Korean Peninsula but truly for the wider world."

On the 27th, marking the 70th anniversary of the Korean War Armistice Agreement, Pope Francis expressed this in a blessing message sent to Bishop Lee Yong-hoon during a Mass for peace on the Korean Peninsula held at Myeongdong Cathedral in Seoul. The message was read aloud by Cardinal You Heung-sik, Prefect of the Clergy at the Vatican.

At the Mass for Peace on the Korean Peninsula held at Myeongdong Cathedral in Seoul on the 27th, Cardinal Yoo Heung-sik delivered the Pope's blessing message.
[Photo by Korean Catholic Bishops' Conference]

The Pope stated, "Countless wars and armed conflicts tragically remind us that constant vigilance is necessary to protect and promote justice and friendly cooperation within communities and among nations," and added, "I wish to encourage all Koreans to become 'prophets' of peace."

Cardinal You also conveyed the Pope’s firm intention to visit North Korea. He said, "I hope for the day when the Pope will visit the North Korean region upon official invitation from North Korea. As an apostle of peace, I am also willing to prepare for the Pope’s visit to North Korea and be dispatched there for the peace of the Korean Peninsula, earnestly hoping for the well-being and peace of our people."

Bishop Lee Ki-heon, chairman of the Special Committee for National Reconciliation, expressed concern about the hostile atmosphere between South and North Korea. In his homily, he said, "The most important task for the South and North to achieve peace on the Korean Peninsula is to eliminate hostility, which has been the heaviest obstacle and shackle our people have carried for a long time," and added, "I pray earnestly for the leaders of both South and North Korea."

The leaders of the seven major religions comprising the Korea Council of Religious Leaders conveyed in a message, "We hope that the authorities of both South and North Korea will engage more actively in dialogue to ease tensions and establish peace on the Korean Peninsula," emphasizing, "We urge the authorities of both South and North Korea to actively participate in talks to eliminate the threat of war on the Korean Peninsula and to establish peace in Northeast Asia."

The message was issued in the names of seven leaders: Jin Woo, Chief Executive of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism; Jung Seo-young, President of the Christian Council of Korea; Na Sang-ho, Director of Won Buddhism; Choi Jong-soo, Head of Confucianism at Sungkyunkwan; Park Sang-jong, Leader of Cheondoism; Lee Yong-hoon, Chairman of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Korea; and Kim Ryeong-ha, Chairman of the Korean Council of Ethnic Religions.

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