The South Korean Catholic Church is one of the fastest growing in the world, with just over 5.4 million members, some 10.4% of the population. Shortly before the Pope arrived, North Korea fired three short-range rockets off its east coast. The last rocket was launched 35 minutes before the Pope landed at Incheon airport, Reuters reported.
Pyongyang has engaged in several such launches in recent months in what it says is a response to US and South Korean provocations - in the latest case, a military drill due to start on Monday.
President Park Geun-hye was at the airport to greet the pontiff.
The Pope is expected to pay tribute to some of South Korea's first Catholics when he beatifies 124 Koreans who died in the 18th and 19th Centuries. After an individual is beatified, he or she is given the title "blessed." The beatification ceremony will be held on Saturday at Gwanghwamun Square in central Seoul, with up to one million people expected to attend.
The pontiff is also attending Asian Youth Day, a festival for young Catholics from across the region. He is also scheduled to meet students who survived the Sewol ferry disaster that claimed more than 300 lives. A Mass for Peace and Reconciliation will be held in the Myeong-dong cathedral in Seoul on Monday, on the final day of his trip.
reporter
Park Sae-jin
swatchsjp@ajunews.com
