Ten years after Pope Francis’ visit, Korean Church working toward unity

By Antonella Palermo

Father Diego Cazzolato, a Consolata missionary in South Korea for over thirty years, shared his mission to illustrate the message delivered by Pope Francis ten years ago. The Pope made an apostolic journey to South Korea from August 13 to 18, 2014 on the occasion of the 6th Asian Youth Day.

In an interview with Vatican News, Father Diego expressed his hopes for internal reconciliation and universal fraternity by promoting interreligious dialogue and support for the poor and migrants in the Philippines and Nigeria.

The consolation and compassion of Pope Francis

Father Diego recalled his meeting with the Pope in 2014 and expressed gratitude for the Pope’s message that sought to restore peace and hope to the South Korean people, who were still reeling from a recent tragic event. In April 2014, a ferry carrying hundreds of young students sank for unknown reasons while heading to a nearby island.

He recalled the Pope’s compassion and comfort to many parents of children, an act that touched the hearts of many Koreans, some of whom decided to become Catholics. “It was a providential visit,” the missionary said.

False hope of reconciliation

However, in Father Diego’s memory, the event remains a bittersweet sensation, as hopes for reconciliation and reunification of the two Koreas continued without success.

“Unfortunately,” he said, “the hope for reconciliation has been completely destroyed not only by those who govern North Korea, but also by their own government, which opposes reconciliation more than it seeks peace. Relations between the two countries have reached their lowest point in fifty years.”

“The new poor” among migrant groups

The Italian-born missionary described how the government’s modernization plans, during the 1988 Olympics and the 2002 World Cup, hampered the development of human and spiritual closeness with Koreans living in poverty in the suburbs of Seoul.

Father Diego used the term “the new poor” to identify migrants who come from all over the world in search of economic stability.

The majority come from the Philippines and other Southeast Asian countries, such as Vietnam, Timor-Leste, Thailand and Cambodia, as well as a large group of Nigerians and some Latin Americans.

Pope’s return to Southeast Asia will foster dialogue

A year ago in Mongolia, “the presence of Pope Francis in the peripheries aroused enthusiasm,” Father Diego said. He believes that this feeling and the Pope’s push for dialogue will be essential during his upcoming apostolic trip to Southeast Asia, given the cultural differences between Christianity and Islam.

Father Diego recalled his own dedication to “reaching out to leaders of other religions in Daejeon and building peaceful relationships with all in the search for truth.”

WYD 2027 aims to combat demoralization among young people

The missionary priest did not deny that future generations are increasingly seeking the truth outside religious spaces.

In a world where technology is constantly advancing, many young people still struggle to ensure their economic stability, a problem that even the Christian community struggles to solve despite its best efforts.

Fr Diego said he looked forward to the 2027 World Youth Day in South Korea, saying strong initiatives are needed to restore the joy of youth among young people.