Pope Francis expresses willingness to visit North Korea

Pope Francis said he is willing to visit North Korea if the leaders of the country ever invite him. He was speaking to a South Korean broadcaster on Friday.

"I will go there as soon as they invite me. I am saying they should invite me. I will not refuse. The purpose of my visit is always brotherly love," he told KBS.

North Korea is officially an atheist state. Two of the main surviving religions in the country are Shamanism and Chondoism. There are small communities of Buddhists and Christians in the country.

Little is known about how many North Koreans are Catholic and how they practice their faith. The state does not allow priests to be permanently stationed there. Former South Korean President Moon Jae-in has urged the Pope to visit North Korea. Being Catholic, he thinks a papal visit to Pyongyang would help build peace between rival nations.

North Korea is known for its strict rules regarding interacting with foreigners. Citizens of the nation are rarely allowed to go abroad and only a few visitors are granted permission to enter. Since the pandemic began, the government has increased lockdown measures.

Speaking to KBS, the Pope said the war that divided the peninsula into North and South Korea has never ended. "You have suffered through the pains of war. So you know what war means. Work toward peace. I send my blessing and prayer for peace to everyone in both Koreas."

So far, no Pope has ever visited North Korea. The late Pope John Paul II was once invited but the visit did not happen.