Pope Francis Asia trip to honour Korean martyrs

Source: BBC



The Pope will visit South Korea in mid-August, where he will beatify 124 Korean Christians who died during the 17th and 18th Centuries. It is the first papal visit to Asia since 1995, when five million saw Pope John Paul II in the Philippines.

Francis will also make trips to Sri Lanka and the Philippines in January. Pope Francis' predecessor Pope Benedict did not visit Asia during his papacy.

The visit will also be the first time in 25 years that a Pope has visited the Korean peninsula. The Vatican also said Pope Francis is also expected to meet relatives of the victims from April's Sewol passenger ferry disaster during his trip.

While in Seoul, the Pope will lead an Asian Catholic youth festival. He is also scheduled to meet South Korean President Park Geun-Hye in Seoul before he travels to Daejeon city to celebrate Mass.

Read more: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-27917368