Korea

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Cardinal Lazzaro You Heung-sik, prefect of Dicastery for the Clergy, and Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin celebrate Mass on Dec. 11, 2023, to mark the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Holy See and the Republic of Korea.

Holy See celebrates 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations with the Republic of Korea

Dec 12, 2023

By Matthew Santucci

Pope Francis sent a telegram on Monday to Suwon Archbishop Matthias Ri Iong-hoon to mark the 60th anniversary of diplomatic... Read more

A new statue of St. Andrew Kim Tae-gŏn, a Korean martyr, was unveiled at St. Peter's Basilica on Sept. 16, 2023.

Who are the Korean martyrs?

Sep 20, 2023

By Kevin J. Jones

On Sept. 20, the Catholic Church remembers the many men, women, and children who died for their faith in Korea. Read more

Pope Francis greets a delegation of Korean Catholics at the Vatican on Sept. 16, 2023.

Pope Francis: Catholics in Korea called ‘to a burning faith’

Sep 16, 2023

By Hannah Brockhaus

“With the prophecy of martyrdom, the Korean Church reminds us that we cannot follow Jesus without embracing his cross,” Pope... Read more

An image of Blessed Paul Yun Ji-chung and 123 companions, who were beatified Aug. 16, 2014.

Relics of first Korean Catholic martyrs identified with DNA testing

Sep 1, 2021

By Courtney Mares

The martyrs were among the first of thousands of Catholics to be tortured and executed. Read more

Korean cardinal to consecrate Pyongyang Diocese to Mary on Assumption

Aug 13, 2020

The Archbishop of Seoul, Cardinal Andrew Yeom Soo-jung, has announced that he will consecrate the Diocese of Pyongyang to Our... Read more

Cardinal Andrew Yeom Soo-jung of Seoul speaks at a press conference on Feb. 25, 2014.

Catholics pray for reconciliation on 70th anniversary of the Korean War

Jun 25, 2020

By Courtney Mares

Korean Catholics marked the 70th anniversary of the start of the Korean War -- a war which never technically ended... Read more

Pope Francis at the Wednesday general audience in St. Peter's Square on June 17, 2015.

Pope lauds 'courageous' effort made by Korean leaders for peace

Apr 29, 2018

By Elise Harris

On Sunday Pope Francis praised the recent agreement signed by North and South Korean leaders aimed at reconciliation and denuclearization,... Read more

Olympic rings.

Holy See to participate in Olympic opening ceremony, IOC strategy session

Feb 6, 2018

By Elise Harris

A delegation from the Holy See is in South Korea this week to participate in the opening of the Winter... Read more

Pope Francis meets with members of the Korean Council of Religious Leaders at the Vatican Sept. 2, 2017.

Pope emphasizes peace-building in meeting with Korean religious leaders

Sep 2, 2017

By Hannah Brockhaus

In a meeting with religious leaders from Korea on Saturday, Pope Francis said the world is looking to them for... Read more

Fr. Gerard Hammond, M.M. of the Maryknoll Missionaries.

What it's like to be a missionary in North Korea

Aug 9, 2017

By Matt Hadro

What can a missionary in North Korea do to preach the Gospel in a Communist dictatorship? Simply care for the... Read more

Bishop Patrick Byrne, apostolic delegate to Korea from 1949 until his Nov. 25, 1950 death in a North Korean prison camp.

How an American bishop became a Korean martyr

Mar 26, 2017

By Kevin J. Jones

Bishop Patrick James Byrne was born in the United States, but he died on a forced march in the harsh... Read more

An image of Blessed Paul Yun Ji-chung and 123 companions, who were beatified Aug. 16, 2014.

More than 200 Korean martyrs are up for beatification

Mar 9, 2017

The first Bishop of Pyongyang, an American born-bishop, and numerous priests and laity are among the 213 who could be... Read more

Pope Francis speaks to religious communities at the Training Center 'School of Love' in Kkottongnaeon, South Korea, Aug. 16, 2014.

Pope reiterates lessons from Korea in meeting with nation's bishops

Mar 12, 2015

His trip last August to South Korea was on Pope Francis' mind Thursday when he met with the nation's bishops,... Read more

Logo for Pope Francis' apostolic voyage to South Korea, Aug. 14-18, 2014.

124 Korean martyrs to be beatified by Pope next month

Jul 30, 2014

By Jan Bentz

During his August visit to Korea, Pope Francis is to beatify Paul Yun Ji-chung, the nation's first martyr, as well... Read more

Cardinal Andrew Yeom Soo-jung of Seoul, South Korea, at a Feb. 25, 2014 press conference in Rome.

Pope Francis to new cardinal: 'I love Korea'

Feb 26, 2014

By Jan Bentz

During the Feb. 23 Mass of Thanksgiving for the creation of new cardinals, Pope Francis offered words of affection for... Read more

Pope Francis greets the crowd at Castel Gandolfo before the Sunday Angelus on July 14, 2013.

'Month of Martyrs' in Korea draws praise from Pope Francis

Aug 29, 2013

Pope Francis sent a message today to South Korea praising the country's decision to proclaim September as the “Month of... Read more