SEOUL (UCAN) - In a first-ever visit by a Korean president to the Apostolic Nunciature in Seoul, President Thomas More Kim Dae-jung expressed his respect for Pope John Paul II's moral leadership of the world for the last 20 years. President Kim visited the nunciature, located near Chong Wa Dae (blue house), the presidential office, to join the celebration of the 20th anniversary of Pope John Paul's pontificate on Oct. 16.
"I respect the dedication Pope John Paul II has shown in promoting peace in the world for the past two decades. The pope's role as the moral leader of the world's people is appreciated," he said. South Korea's first Catholic president recalled his meeting with the pontiff when he visited the Vatican in 1988 as head of an opposition party. "Pope John Paul II consoled my difficult political situation and encouraged me and my followers by greeting us with warm handshakes," Kim recalled.
The pope will be remembered as a good friend of the Korean people because of his visit to South Korea to canonize 103 Korean Martyrs in 1984 and his second visit in 1989 for the 44th International Eucharistic Congress, held in Seoul, he added.
Archbishop Giovanni Morandini, apostolic nuncio to South Korea, and Archbishop Nicholas Cheong Jin-suk of Seoul were present for the visit, which a nunciature official later confirmed to UCA News had been the first to the Holy See's diplomatic mission by a South Korean president.
A Mass marking Pope John Paul's 20th anniversary had been celebrated by Archbishops Cheong and Morandini at Myongdong Cathedral on Oct. 15, with some 400 priests and laypeople attending. Archbishop Morandini said in his homily that all Catholics should thank God for the pope's efforts to spread the Gospel throughout the world.
UCAN 27. oktober 1998