Religious leaders laud Pope Francis’ legacy in condolence letter

Candles burn in front of a portrait of Pope Francis at the Catholic Church of St. Catherine in Saint Petersburg, Russia on April 21. (AFP-Yonhap)

Religious leaders in South Korea praised the late Pope Francis, who died in Rome on Monday at the age of 88, for speaking out on behalf of the marginalized. The pope, who had battled a severe respiratory infection for over a month, was leader of the Catholic Church for 12 years.

“Francis gave a spiritual lesson to all of us, living a life fully dedicated to faith and love,” Seoul Archbishop Peter Chung Soon-taick said in a statement.

“Above all, he exemplified the commitment to the socially marginalized,” Archbishop Chung added, calling on Catholics to live up to the example of love and generosity set by Francis.

The National Council of Churches in Korea, one of the four largest Protestant alliances in the country, described the pontiff as a friend of those who are suffering — the poor, migrants and refugees — always advocating for justice.

“The earthly language he used and the way he acted on his words were a demonstration of God’s love, and his leadership moved churches everywhere,” said the Rev. Kim Jong-seng, the NCCK general secretary.

The Ven. Jinwoo, president of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, the largest Buddhist sect here, called Francis a teacher of mankind who helped bridge differences between religions. “He taught us the value of peace and solidarity,” Jinwoo said.

The Korean Council of Religious Leaders, a coalition of leaders representing seven major religions in South Korea, focused on a visit to Korea by Francis in 2014 that the council said “had consoled the country as a whole.”

On the first day of that five-day visit that began on Aug. 14, 2014, Francis met with and consoled families who lost loved ones in the Sewol ferry disaster that occurred in April that year. He was in Korea to beatify 124 Korean Catholic martyrs in Seoul, including Paul Yun Ji-chung, and to officiate Mass at Asian Youth Day.

“We will continue to work on advancing reconciliation between religions and love for mankind, living up to his spirit,” the council said.

In a 2022 interview with local broadcaster KBS, Francis spoke of visiting North Korea as part of aiding reconciliation on the divided peninsula. Former South Korean President Moon Jae-in suggested it during his visit to the Vatican in 2018 and 2021.

“When they invite me — that is to say, please invite me — I won’t say no,” Francis said. No such trips took place.

Myeongdong Cathedral, the seat of the Archdiocese of Seoul, said plans on holding a memorial there would be announced soon.