Pietro Kim Jaedeok

Among the 304 victims of the shipwreck there was also a young man who was about to enter the seminary. To realize his dream, his parents decided to build a place of worship. The help of many volunteers and the love of the people leads to the construction of "Seongho" church – named for the young man – in record time.

The bishops set up a fund for the poor and the marginalised. The outgoing president of the Bishops Conference, Mgr Kang, calls on his fellow prelates to "change our life too. We must remember the joy of the Gospel and always keep in mind the message the pope entrusted us during his pastoral visit."

The national television network, Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation, has sent a crew to Rome to prepare a two-hour documentary on the figure of the Pope and the places of the Korean Martyrs. During recording, the crew drew closer and closer to the Church: "When I got home - says one of the journalists - I wanted to go back to the parish that I abandoned years ago."

On 7 April, South Korean police detained two priests, a nun and a lay Catholic at the end of a "Mass for peace" against the construction of a new military base in the area. All four were released, but the local church and residents complain that the police action was a "deliberate provocation". A video of the arrests was posted online.

The "Conference of Religious for Peace" concludes with a joint declaration signed by leaders of Catholic, Protestant, Anglican, Buddhist and Confucian faithful: "We are very happy for his visit, it will help peace and the interfaith movement". Billboards of welcome will be posted on the various sacred places throughout the area. And a venerable Buddhist writes: "His love for the poor and the sick is awe- inspiring, I have a lot of respect for him".

Since the publication in Korean two weeks ago, Pope Francis’ apostolic exhortation has sold 25 thousand copies compared to the usual quantity of 4 thousand for papal documents. Catholic publishing sources explain: "It’s because of the Pope's impending visit, but also to its simple language and its discussion of current issues such as social inequality".

After the publication of "Deus Caritas Est ," Msgr. Lazzaro You Heung- sik promised the Pope Emeritus that he would launch a major campaign for the poor in Korea and Mongolia. Six years later, the project "100 won for a meal" has produced a home for the poor, a regular distribution of meals and support for students.

After the suffrage Mass, in Seoul there was a great concert to celebrate the deceased cardinal. Present Card. Yeom , Msgr. Lazzaro You and the Buddhist leader Bub Hyun. The archbishop of Seoul, "Pray for me, that I may follow in the footsteps of this great man".