Lombardi on day one of Papal visit to Korea

(Vatican Radio) In a briefing to journalists at the conclusion of Pope Francis’ first day in the Republic of Korea, Father Federico Lombardi SJ said the Pope is in good form and very happy to be here.

Travelling with the Papal entourage, Fr Lombardi – Director of the Vatican Press Office – described day 1 as very positive, starting with the welcome at the airport which saw the presence of the President as well as all the usual delegations.

He said that the fact that President Park Geun-hye was there personally to meet him bears witness to how meaningful she deems this journey to be. Normally the Head of State awaits the Pope at the Presidential residence for his or her first meeting with the visiting Pontiff.

And speaking to Vatican Radio’s  Sean Patrick Lovett who is in Seoul to report on the visit, Father Lombardi also commented on the fact that amongst those at the airport to greet the Pope on his arrival, there were also two direct descendants of the Korean martyrs…

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“Yes this is very impressive for us. The people who are now part of the Catholic community in Korea are relatives of martyrs because the history of martyrdom in the Korean Church is so huge” he said.

Fr Lombardi pointed out that this fact gives us a sense of the presence of the martyrs and of the roots in martyrdom that the Church in Korea still has today. “It is a gift and may be one of the reasons for its vitality and desire to be witness of the Catholic faith across the world” he said.

Fr Lombardi also speaks of the two other events of the day, namely the meeting with political authorities at the Blue House, and the meeting with the Bishops of Korea at the headquarters of the CBCK in Seoul.

In particular Fr Lombardi comments on the fact that, during the last event, Pope Francis – who was speaking Italian – made frequent “off the cuff” comments amongst which he exhorted the bishops to be close to their priests and reminded them to never lose sight of the Church’s mission to serve the poor.