The second day of the Pope's visit to Korea,... began with a Holy Mass in Daejeon... with tens of thousands of Catholic faithfuls in attendance... and a solemn and heartfelt meeting with families of the victims of April's ferry disaster.
Park Ji-won with the details.
Pope Francis arrived at the Daejeon World Cup Stadium at around 10 AM.
As he entered the stadium with an open car parade,... tens of thousands of Catholic faithfuls welcomed the pontiff, shouting "Viva Papa," "Viva Papa "
It was the first mass that the Holy Father celebrated with the Korean public.
"As Korean Catholics, heirs to a noble tradition, you are called to cherish this legacy and transmit it to future generations. This will demand of everyone a renewed conversion to the word of God and a passionate concern for the poor, the needy and the vulnerabe in our midst."
Dozens of Sewol-ho ferry victims' family members and surviving students also attended the mass.... Among them, about 10 family members privately spoke with the pope ahead of the event.... Some of them just finishing a 38-day pilgrimage across the country,... carrying a cross,... which was delivered to the pope.
"We told the Holy Father that about three-hundred souls are inside the cross and hope he remembers them during the mass."
The Pontiff prayed for the Sewol-ho ferry victims as he wrapped up the Mass of the Solemnity of Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
"We especially entrust to our Lady all who lost their lives in the singking of the Sewol ferry, as well as those who continue to be affected by this great national diaster. ... May this tragic event which has brought all Koreans together in grief confirm their commitment to work together in solidarity for the common good."
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Some 50-thousand Catholics expressed their gratitude over attending the holy mass.
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"As a Catholic, it is a great honor to be able to attend this mass presided over by Pope Francis."
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"I wish everyone in hardship right now, can stand up with dreams in their heart through this opportunity."
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"I truly wish this mass could be an event of grace and healing to those in suffering."
"About 230 years after Catholicism first came to Korea, about ten percent of the population are now Catholic believers. To those in suffering and in need in this country and in Asia, the pope's words provide consolation and a lesson for reviving the humanity in all of us.
Park Ji-won Arirang News, Daejeon."
Title: Pope Francis meets with the youth of Asia at Solmoe Shrine
After the Mass of the Assumption of Mary at the Daejeon World Cup Stadium,.. Pope Francis traveled further northwest up the country to the city of Dangjin,... to meet with thousands of young people at the shrine of Solmoe.
Let's go over to our Kwon Soa who is at the site.
Soa, what is Pope Francis doing right now?
Hi Daniel, I'm reporting from this very special venue, in a huge tent at the Solmoe Shrine, where Pope Francis is having a meeting with around 6-thousand young Catholics from Asia,... for whom this is most likely going to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
After the pope had a luncheon with members of the sixth Asian Youth Day in Daejeon, he arrived here in Dangjin... at the shrine... around 4:50 this afternoon, where he was greeted by thousands of Catholics, non-Catholics, and mostly... the youth.
After driving through the area by car, waving to the people and holding their hands, he made a prayer at the Solmoe Holy Ground, the birth place of Korea's first priest Saint Andrew Kim Tae Gon.
The saint died at the young age of 25,... just a year after he became a priest,.... during a religious persecution hundreds years ago in Korea.
Can you tell us a bit more about this Asian Youth Day and its significance?
Sure, the sixth Asian Youth Day kicked off on Wednesday on the eve of Pope Francis' arrival in Korea, with Asians of 22 countries.
This year's event is celebrated with the theme, “Asian Youth Wake Up The Glory of the Martyrs Shines on You.”
Prior to the five-day event the pontiff sent numerous messages to the youth, had phone calls with them, took selfies, and gave them encouragement with three keywords 'Go', 'Do Not Be Afraid', and 'Serve' showing his great affection towards the young people.
Now at the meeting with the youth here at the site the youth from Asian countries like Cambodia, ___________ , have hold speeches, while Pope Francis made notes while listening to their questions, wished to be answered by him.
Lucky for those young people…. I wonder... what kind of advice and good messages the pope has delievered to them.
Well, later by 7:30 p.m. a press briefing is expected to take place here at the Solmoe press center where a few members of the youth will be briefing us... with what the pope had to say.... The pope will be traveling back to Seoul afterwards.
This has been Kwon Soa reporting live at the Solmoe Shrine in Dangjin.
