Pope: A new era of peace for all Koreans

In a video message, Francis recalls the first anniversary of the meeting between Moon Jae-in and Kim Jong-un.  The Panmunjon Declaration, the fruit of that historic summit, pushes the two Koreas towards a future "based on unity, dialogue and fraternal solidarity".

 Vatican City (AsiaNews) - The Panmunjon Declaration opens the way "for a new era of peace for all Koreans".  Pope Francis says this in a video message made public today by the Holy See Press Office.  The pontiff thus remembers the first anniversary of the historic meeting between the leaders of the two Koreas, Moon Jae-in and Kim Jong-un, who started a peace process in the peninsula.

 "Dear friends - says Francis - I am happy to offer cordial greetings on this first anniversary of the Panmunjom Declaration for Peace, Prosperity and Unification of the Korean Peninsula. May this celebration offer hope to all that a future based on unity, dialogue and fraternal solidarity is indeed possible.

Through patient and persistent efforts, the pursuit of harmony and concord can overcome division and confrontation. I pray that this anniversary of the Panmunjom Declaration may bring about a new era of peace for all Koreans. Upon all of you, I invoke an abundance of divine blessings."

The Panmunjon Declaration is a text signed at the conclusion of the historic summit between Moon and Kim: "The two leaders - reads - solemnly declare in front of the 80 million people of our nation and the whole world that there will be no other war on the peninsula  and a new era of peace has begun ".