Pope Francis has lauded North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and South Korean president Moon Jae-in for taking steps towards peace and committing to denuclearize the Korean peninsula.
On Sunday, the pontiff addressed the leaders' summit during a prayer at the St. Peter's Square. He said that he would continue to pray for peace in Korea as its leaders took historic steps towards reconciliation.
"I pray to the Lord so that the hope of a future of peace and fraternal friendship does not disappoint, and that the collaboration may go on to bear fruit for the beloved Korean people and the entire world," Pope Francis said.
On Friday, Kim and Moon made history after the North Korean leader crossed the demarcation line that has divided his state from South Korea for decades. Kim became the first North Korean leader to step onto South Korean soil since 1953.
The two leaders also signed the Panmunjeom Declaration that signified "peace, prosperity and unification" between the North and the South. The agreement also declared that there would be no more wars on the Korean Peninsula.
The Catholic Bishops Conference of Korea also welcomed the developments between the two states. In a statement, Archbishop Kim Hee-Jung said that the meeting was an answer to prayer.
"I expect that the fruits of this inter-Korean summit, which God has made in response to our prayers and efforts, will be more energized by the unification ministry and private exchanges that the Korean Catholic Church has promoted during that time," the rchbishop said.
The Catholic Church in Korea has been praying for reconciliation and true peace in the Korean Peninsula each year on June 25, the Korean War anniversary, since 1965.
