S. Korea: boom of participants at the Asian Youth Day
Seoul, March 15, 2014: The Korean Church has welcomed with joy Pope Francis’ visit
to the country and has set up a special Commission, composed of Bishops, religious
and laity, who are responsible for organizing the visit with care in all its aspects.
For the event, which involves the entire nation, the Church is receiving full
support from the Korean government has created a Committee for the Pope's visit, which
is cooperating and assisting the ecclesial Commission in many ways. The two main events
of the trip concern: the organization of the Asian Youth Day, as reported to Fides
by the Korean Church. The Day, to be held in Dajeon from 10 to 17 August 2014 will
welcome young people representing 29 countries in Asia. The second memorable event
is the celebration for the beatification of the Korean Martyrs, another event that
deeply touched the hearts of the Korean population. When Pope John Paul II arrived
in Korea in 1984 and in 1989, "we had over a year to prepare for the visit. Now we
have less than five months. But we are working with zeal and enthusiasm", says to
Fides the preparatory Commission of the Korean Church.