Vatican City, Oct 11, 2007 / 07:10 am
The Pope turned his attention today to the efforts aimed at promoting peace on the Korean peninsula and lent his full support to the push for reconciliation between the two countries.
Benedict XVI gave South Korea’s newly appointed ambassador, Francis Kim Ji-young, the assurance of "the Holy See's support for every initiative that aims at a sincere and lasting reconciliation, putting an end to enmity and unresolved grievances." And he praised the country's efforts "to foster fruitful and open dialogue while simultaneously working to alleviate the pain of those suffering from the wounds of division and distrust."
"Every nation shares in the responsibility of assuring a more stable and secure world. It is my ardent hope that the ongoing participation of various countries involved in the negotiation process will lead to a cessation of programs designed to develop and produce weapons with frightening potential for unspeakable destruction," said the Pope.