During Pope Francis’ audience with the president of the Republic of Korea Moon Jae-in in the Vatican Apostolic Palace this morning, “strong appreciation was expressed for the common commitment to fostering all useful initiatives to overcome the tensions that still exist in the Korean Peninsula, in order to usher in a new season of peace and development”. This is according to a statement released by the Holy See Press Office. “During the cordial discussions – the statement reads -, the parties evoked the good bilateral relations and the positive contribution offered by the Church in the social, education and healthcare sectors, as well as the promotion of dialogue and reconciliation between Koreans. Finally, some matters of a regional nature were discussed”. After the meeting with the Holy Father, President Moon met with Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, and with Mgr. Paul Richard Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with States.