Pope urges Asian 'openness'

Some 70 Asian bishops gathered near Seoul were told by Pope Francis on Sunday that the Vatican "earnestly" hoped to establish full ties with mostly communist-ruled nations that have long shunned Catholicism and Christianity in general.

China broke off relations with the Vatican in 1951 and set up a state church. Vatican-loyal Chinese Catholics resorted to secretive gatherings. Six other nations -- North Korea, Vietnam, Myanmar, Laos, Bhutan and Brunei -- also had no ties with the Holy See, said Vatican spokesman Federico Lombardi.

Addressing bishops at a shrine for Korean Catholic martyrs at Haemi-eup, south of Seoul, Francis said Christians did not come as "conquerors" but wanted to "walk together" -- in contrast to past colonialism.

"I am not referring just to political dialogue, but also to human and brotherly dialogue," he added.

He urged the bishops from 35 Asian countries to be "versatile and creative" in seeking empathetic dialogue aimed at overcoming aversions with a "spirit of openness."

Previous warning from China

In March last year, China warned Francis, shortly after his election by cardinals in Rome, against interfering in China's internal affairs "under the pretext of religion."

As he flew across China bound for South Korea on Thursday, Francis sent an unprecedented message of goodwill to President Xi Xinping. China's foreign ministry later said Beijing was "willing" to improve bilateral ties.

Reclusive North Korea carried out short-range rocket launches as the pope arrived in Seoul.

Youth gathering

On Sunday, the next-to-last day of the pontiff's Korean visit, he was due to lead mass at a youth gathering.

Next January, the pope is scheduled to travel to Sri Lanka and the Philippines as part of his plan to make the Asian region a priority of his pontificate.

His trip is the first papal visit to Asia in 15 years.

ipj/tj (dpa, AFP, Reuters)