Pope Francis Heads to South Korea
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Franco Origlia/Getty Images(ROME) — Pope Francis is scheduled to arrive in South Korea Thursday, marking the first papal trip to Asia in 25 years.
Before departing for Seoul Wednesday, the pope tweeted, “As I begin my trip, I ask you to join me in praying for Korea and for all of Asia.”
During his five-day trip to South Korea, Pope Francis will beatify more than 120 South Korean martyrs who were killed several centuries ago for refusing to give up their Catholic faith.
About 11 percent of South Koreans are Catholic. While most of the population is Buddist, the Asian country boasts the highest rate of conversion to Catholicism.
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