Thousands of people gathered outside a cathedral in Seoul on Monday hoping to catch a glimpse of Pope Francis.

The pope was celebrating mass at the cathedral as he wrapped up a five-day visit to South Korea.

Among those attending the service -- South Korean president Park Geun-Hye. Defectors from North Korea and relatives of South Koreans abducted by the north had been invited as well.

North Korea declined an invitation for members of its state-run Korean Catholic Association to attend.

During the celebration the pope called for peace and reconcilliation on the divided Korean Peninsula.

(SOUNDBITE) (Italian) POPE FRANCIS SAYING:

"Today's Mass is first and foremost a prayer for reconciliation in this Korean family."

Following the mass the pope said farewell to South Korean bishops and officials before returning to Rome.

His visit to South Korea is the first by a pope to Asia in 15 years. The Catholic Church in South Korea has nearly double