Pope Francis visits South Korea
Pope Francis arrives in Seoul, South Korea, Aug. 14, 2014. The Pontiff arrived Thursday in South Korea on the first papal visit to the Asian nation in a quarter century, stepping off a plane onto a red carpet and greeting the president, local Catholics and grieving relatives. During his five-day visit, Francis plans to beatify 124 Korean martyrs and encourage a vibrant and growing local church seen as a model for the future of Catholicism. At an airport just south of Seoul, the pope shook hands with four relatives of a South Korean ferry sinking that killed more than 300 and two descendants of Korean martyrs who died rather than renounce their faith.
Pope Francis visits Korea for the first time
A South Korea security guard peers out of a glass door during Pope Francis and South Korean President Park Geun-hye's meeting at the presidential house in Seoul, Aug. 14, 2014.
Pope Francis visits Korea for the first time
Pope Francis prays for Italian journalist Simone Camilli, killed in Gaza, aboard the flight to Seoul, August 14, 2014.
Pope Francis visits Korea for the first time
A sales assistant waits for customers next to TV sets broadcasting a report on Pope Francis' arrival, in Seoul, Aug, 14, 2014. Pope Francis arrived in South Korea after sending an unprecedented message of good will to China as he flew over the country that does not allow its Catholics to recognize his authority. Francis will spend five days in South Korea, meeting some of the country's five million Catholics on the first trip by a pontiff to Asia since 1999.
Pope Francis visits Korea for the first time
Pope Francis, left, and South Korean President Park Geun-hye inspect South Korean honor guards during a welcoming ceremony at the presidential Blue House in Seoul, Aug. 14, 2014.
Pope Francis visits Korea for the first time
People wait for Pope Francis to arrive for a meeting with bishops, in front of the headquarters of the Korean Episcopal Conference in Seoul.
Pope Francis visits Korea for the first time
Pope Francis arrives to attend a welcoming ceremony at the presidential Blue House in Seoul, Aug. 14, 2014.
Pope Francis visits Korea for the first time
Pope Francis gestures during a welcoming ceremony at the presidential Blue House in Seoul.
Pope Francis visits Korea for the first time
Women wearing traditional costumes wait for Pope Francis to arrive for a meeting with bishops, in front of the headquarters of the Korean Episcopal Conference in Seoul, Aug. 14, 2014.
Pope Francis visits Korea for the first time
Pope Francis, second from left, shakes hands with a nun as he arrives to attend a meeting with the bishops of Korea at the headquarters of the Korean Episcopal Conference in Seoul, South Korea, Aug. 14, 2014. Pope Francis called Thursday for renewed efforts to forge peace on the war-divided Korean Peninsula and for both sides to avoid "fruitless" criticisms and shows of force, opening a five-day visit to South Korea with a message of reconciliation as Seoul's rival, North Korea, fired five projectiles into the sea.
Pope Francis visits Korea for the first time
Pedestrians walk past banners welcoming Pope Francis in central Seoul, Aug. 14, 2014.
Pope Francis visits Korea for the first time
South Korean troops fire heavy artillery to welcome Pope Francis upon his arrival at Seoul Air Base in Seongnam, Aug. 14, 2014.
Pope visits Korea for the first time
Statues bearing the likeness of Pope Francis are displayed for sale at a souvenir shop at Myeongdong Cathedral in Seoul, Aug. 13, 2014.
Pope Francis visits Korea for the first time
Pope Francis waves as he prepares to get into a car following his arrival at Seoul Air Base in Seongnam, Aug. 14, 2014.
Pope Francis visits Korea for the first time
Pope Francis shakes hands with a nun as he is welcomed on the tarmac following his arrival at Seoul Air Base in Seongnam, Aug. 14, 2014.
Pope Francis visits Korea for the first time
Pope Francis, second from left, attends a meeting with the bishops of Korea at the headquarters of the Korean Episcopal Conference in Seoul, Aug. 14, 2014.
Pope Francis meets with Park Geun-Hye
South Korean President Park Geun-Hye, right, shakes hands with Pope Francis after a news conference at the presidential Blue House, August 14, 2014 in Seoul, South Korea. Pope Francis is visiting South Korea from August 14 to August 18. This is the third pontifical visit to South Korea.
Pope Francis visits Korea for the first time
SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA - AUGUST 14: (SOUTH KOREA OUT) In this handout image provided by the Committee for the 2014 Papal Visit to Korea, Pope Francis, center, laughs with bishops as he signs the guestbook during a meeting with the bishops of Korea at the headquarters of the Korean Episcopal Conference, Aug. 14, 2014 in Seoul, South Korea.
Chinese Catholic children pray
Young Chinese Catholics pray during a gathering as part of a summer camp at the government sanctioned Xishiku Catholic Church in Beijing, China, Aug. 14, 2014. In his first visit to Asia , Pope Francis sent a rare message of goodwill to China's President Xi Jinpeng on Thursday before landing in Seoul, South Korea. There have been no official relations between China and the Vatican since 1949. The Catholic Church in China is split into two avenues of worship: a state sanctioned Church known as the Patriotic Association that answers to the Communist Party, and underground Churches where worshippers are loyal to the Pope in Rome.
Chinese Catholics
A Chinese Catholic woman leaves a religious gift shop at the government sanctioned Xishiku Catholic Church on August 14, 2014 in Beijing, China. In his first visit to Asia, Pope Francis sent a rare message of goodwill to China's President Xi Jinpeng on Thursday before landing in Seoul, South Korea.
Gyeongbok Palace
A giant cross is seen at dusk in front of Gwanghwamun, main gate of the royal Gyeongbok Palace, in Seoul, Aug. 14, 2014.