Pope Francis arrives in South Korea for his first Asia visit
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
North Korea fires projectiles into the sea before the Pope's arrival
Pope Francis is making his first visit to Asia
His Asia trip is a nod to growing Catholicism outside Europe
Pope is expected to hold Mass with Sewol ferry victims, North Korean escapees and former comfort women
(CNN) -- Pope Francis arrived in Seoul Thursday, marking the first papal visit to the country in 25 years.
The historic visit is also a nod to Catholicism's shifting demographics as an increasing number of believers come from Latin America, Africa and Asia instead of its historic stronghold in Europe.
"The Pope's visit to South Korea is the first part of a very intelligent opening to Asia," said Lionel Jensen, associate professor of East Asian Languages and Cultures at the University of Notre Dame. "The Pope's presence is a powerful symbol of the Vatican's recognition that it is in Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa that the church is growing most prominently."
Pope Francis kisses a baby as he arrives to celebrate a mass and the beatification Paul Yun ji-Chung and 123 martyrs at Gwanghwamun Gate in Seoul, South Korea, Saturday, August 16. The Pope's trip to South Korea marks the first papal visit to the country since Pope John Paul II visited 25 years ago.
Thousands of people in the street as Pope Francis as he arrives for a mass to beatify Korean martyrs.
Pope Francis arrives at Solmoe Shrine for Korea's Catholic martyrs in Dangjin, South Korea, on Friday, August 15.
The Pope kisses a child at the Mass of the Assumption of Mary at Daejeon World Cup stadium in Daejeon, South Korea, on August 15.
Pope Francis gathers with thousands of the faithful to celebrate Mass in Daejeon, South Korea.
Thousands of believers sit in Daejeon World Cup Stadium for Mass with the Pope on August 15.
Pope Francis prays during the Mass of the Assumption of Mary on August 15.
Pope Francis enjoys a traditional Korean dance as he meets with young believers at the Solmoe Shrine in Dangjin
Pope Francis waves to a crowd during his visit to the birthplace of Saint Kim Taegon Andrea, who was the first Korean-born Catholic priest and is the patron saint of Korea, at the Solmoe Shrine for Korea's Catholic martyrs on August 15.
Pope Francis prays with Daejeon Bishop Lazarus You Heung-sik in front of the birthplace of Saint Andrea Kim Dae-gun in Dangjin.
Pope Francis laughs with bishops as he signs a guestbook Thursday, August 14, at the headquarters of the Korean Episcopal Conference in Seoul, South Korea.
Pope Francis walks with South Korean President Park Geun-hye before a welcoming ceremony at the presidential Blue House in Seoul on August 14.
Pope Francis waves to a crowd after his arrival in Seongnam, South Korea, on August 14.
The Pope shakes hands with a nun in Seoul on August 14.
People watch Pope Francis' arrival on a television at the Seoul Railway Station.
Park delivers a speech during a news conference with the Pope in Seoul.
Pope Francis walks down stairs during a welcoming ceremony in Seoul.
Pope Francis is escorted by Park upon his arrival at Seoul Military Airport in Seongnam.
Pope Francis visits South Korea Pope Francis visits South Korea
During his packed, five-day visit to South Korea, the Pope will beatify 124 Korean martyrs, help celebrate the 6th Asian Youth Day, which is a gathering of Asian Catholic youth, and hold Holy Mass for Peace and Reconciliation, expected to be aimed at prayers for peace, including South and North Korean relations.
Pope begs for forgiveness
North Korea fired five short-range projectiles into the sea east of the Korean peninsula, beginning about an hour before the Pope's landing in Seoul, the South Korean Defense Ministry said.
The Korean peninsula remains a divided one. One of the Pope's missions is to "go to Korea and pray for the reconciliation and peace," said Vatican spokesman, Padre Federico Lombardi.
Pope Francis is expected to meet South Korean president, Park Geun-hye, as well as hold Mass with family members of the victims of the sunken Sewol ferry and comfort women, who were forced to sexual slavery by the Japanese in World War II, in attendance.
Catholicism's growth in South Korea has been incremental, rising from 5.2 million Catholics in 2005 to 5.4 million in 2013. That represents a significant slowdown from the growth rate of 70% seen in the 10 years to 2005. Just 10.4% of South Koreans are Catholic; most are Buddhist or Protestant.
In a country that is entrenched in the latest technologies and also home to one of the biggest average household debts, Pope Francis is expected to bring his usual message of simplicity and humility. The Pope had requested the smallest car possible for his trip.
Read: South Korea, the church of the future?
"Korea has experienced rapid economic and social development, and now is struggling with the conflicts surfacing from increased social polarization," wrote Rev. Peter Kang U-il, the President of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Korea. The Korean Church must try to follow spiritual growth, rather than pursue material growth, he wrote.
By Madison Park, CNN
August 15, 2014 -- Updated 0228 GMT (1028 HKT)
ローマ法王 ソウル中心部でミサ8月16日 12時24分 韓国を訪れているローマ法王のフランシスコ法王がソウル中心部でミサを行い、大勢のカトリック信者が広場を埋め尽くしました。 去年就任したフランシスコ法王は、初めてのアジア訪問として１４日から韓国を訪れています。１６日午前、ソウル中心部のクァンファムン広場一帯でパレードを行い、法王を一目見ようと詰めかけた信者たちに手を振ったり、子どもを抱いたりしていました。
法王は、ことし４月に起きた旅客船沈没事故で犠牲になった高校生の遺族たちが集まっているところで短い祈りをささげ、遺族の手を取って慰めていました。
法王はこのあと広場に特設された祭壇で１８世紀から１９世紀にかけて殉教した信者たちのためのミサを行いました。
韓国のカトリックは、信者が５４０万人と人口のおよそ１割を占め、１９８０年代の民主化で大きな役割を果たすなど存在感を見せています。
ローマ法王が韓国を訪れるのは２５年ぶりとあって、広場は信者らで埋め尽くされ、パレードやミサをテレビ局が中継で伝えるなど、メディアも法王の動静や発言を詳細に伝えています。
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