Papal Coverage and Apostolic Journeys   Pope Francis’ Apostolic Journey to the Republic of Korea

This August 2014, Pope Francis will visit Korea for the first time to attend the 6th Asian Youth Day. It’s been twenty five years since a pope last visited Korean soil. St. Pope John Paul II visited Korea in 1986 where he canonized 103 Korean Martyrs during the celebration of the 200th anniversary of the Catholic Church. Now, with Pope Francis visiting from August 13-18, 124 Korean martyrs, including Paul Yun Ji-Chung will be beatified. Francis’ visit will also include mass with young Asian Catholics and a meeting with the disabled children of the ‘Flower Neighborhood’, a well-known Catholic welfare facility.


Official Logo and Theme for Papal Trip to Korea

The 2014 Pastoral Visit of Pope Francis to Korea website features the official logo and theme for His Holiness’ visit.

The website states:

“The logo which symbolizes flames and a boat, signifies the Biblical saying, "ARISE, SHINE" (Isaiah 60,1), and means the request to rise up like waves and to enlighten the world like flames.

The colors red and blue of the dynamically burning fire symbolize the divided Korea, which should take a key role in the whole Asia. The harmonious shapes and colors of flames in union embody the wish that the South and the North of Korea become one and achieve Peace and Unity.

The ship in the shapes of waves and blades means the Church in Korea which is founded on the sacrifices of the martyrs. The light blue color indicates Divine Mercy as wide as the sea. As a whole, it means that we should rise up like waves in order to bring unity and hope where division and despair are prevailing.

The faithful of the Catholic Church in Korea which is founded on the bloods of numerous martyrs want to follow the spirituality of martyrdom of the ancestors. Following this spirituality, we want to be a light for ourselves and for neighbors and to transfer the light of faith further to the universal Church, especially to the poorest and most marginalized.”

The above text was originally found on the Pastoral Visit Website.