North 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

World Youth Day pilgrims in Panama City from the Archdiocese of Seoul.

Archbishop to invite young North Koreans to next World Youth Day in Seoul

Nov 23, 2023

By Courtney Mares

Archbishop Peter Chung Soon-taick shared this week that he plans to invite a youth delegation from North Korea to the... Read more

A road in Enugu State, Nigeria.

Christianity growing despite world’s worst persecutions, new report says

Nov 8, 2023

By Peter Pinedo

A new report from a Christian advocacy group says that Christianity continues to thrive and grow despite brutal repression. Read more

Barbed wire fence.

New report details experience of Christians detained in North Korea

Nov 3, 2021

By Courtney Mares

‘When they were caught praying, they were beaten every morning for 20 consecutive days.’ Read more

South Korean President Moon Jae-in presents the cross to Pope Francis at the Vatican, Oct. 29, 2021.

Pope Francis receives cross made from barbed wire from North Korean border

Oct 29, 2021

By Courtney Mares

The cross was a gift from South Korean President Moon Jae-in. Read more

Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Holy See Secretary of State.

In speech on North Korea, Cardinal Parolin calls for cooperation and friendship

Sep 2, 2021

By Courtney Mares

He highlighted St. John XXIII as a model for today’s Vatican diplomacy. Read more

North Korean flags in Pyongyang.

Pope Francis in Pyongyang? An intelligence chief is working to make it happen

Jul 7, 2021

By Courtney Mares

No pope has ever visited the “hermit kingdom.” Read more

Report: North Korea, Nigeria among the worst countries for Christian persecution

Jan 13, 2021

By CNA Staff

For the twentieth year in a row, North Korea tops the list of countries where Christians face oppression, according to... 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

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.

Press North Korea more on human rights, less on denuclearization says federal commission

Jul 9, 2020

A federal commission is calling on the U.S. to push for greater respect for human rights in North Korea, in... 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

Kim Jong Un and Donald Trump meet at the DMZ separating the South and North Korea on June 30, 2019.

As Trump and Kim meet in North Korea, Pope Francis prays for peace

Jun 30, 2019

By Courtney Mares

Pope Francis prayed for peace and the successful outcome of the meeting Sunday between US President Donald Trump and North... Read more

Pope Francis at the general audience in St. Peter's Square on Nov. 8, 2017.

Pope Francis sends message of peace to the Korean peninsula

Apr 27, 2019

By Courtney Mares

Pope Francis sent a video message Saturday to the leaders of South and North Korea expressing his hope for a... Read more

US President Donald Trump (R) and North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un sit for a dinner at the Sofitel Legend Metropole hotel in Hanoi, Feb. 27, 2019.

South Korean bishop weighs in on Trump-Kim summit

Feb 27, 2019

By Courtney Mares

As U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un meet in Vietnam this week, a South Korean archbishop... Read more

Pope Francis gives the Christmas "Urbi et Orbi" blessing Dec. 25, 2018.

Pope’s Christmas Wish: Peace & brotherhood in world’s conflicts

Dec 25, 2018

By Courtney Mares

On Christmas, Pope Francis prayed for peace and renewed brotherhood in Syria, Yemen, Venezuela, Nicaragua, and other parts of the... Read more

Mr Moon Jae-in, President of the Republic of Korea meeting with Pope Francis.

Pope Francis & South Korean president pray for peace

Oct 18, 2018

By Courtney Mares

South Korea’s President Moon Jae-in met with Pope Francis today after praying for peace on the Korean peninsula in St.... Read more

Kim Jong Un invites Pope Francis to meet in Pyongyang

Oct 9, 2018

By Courtney Mares

North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un has invited Pope Francis to meet in Pyongyang, a South Korean spokesman said Tuesday.... Read more

Cardinal Andrew Yeom Soo-jung of Seoul says Mass at the Seosomun Martyrs' Shrine in Seoul, Sept. 14, 2018.

Catholics in Korea look to martyrs amid nuclear negotiations with Pyongyang

Sep 20, 2018

By Courtney Mares

As nuclear negotiations with North Korea continue, Catholics in South Korea are encouraging devotion to their martyr saints and renewing... Read more

The flags of North and South Korea.

Vatican diplomat hopeful about prospect of peace on Korean peninsula

Jul 6, 2018

The Vatican's top diplomat expressed hope Thursday that efforts to bring lasting, stable peace on the Korean peninsula will bear... Read more

The flags of North and South Korea.

Pope Francis meets with North, South Koreans in Geneva

Jun 21, 2018

By Elise Harris

In a move aimed at bridging political as well as ecumenical divides, Pope Francis during a day-trip to Geneva met... Read more