The whole world has its eyes on the inter-Korean summit... with hopes for peace on the Korean Peninsula.
And this includes Pope Francis,... who has a message for President Moon and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.
Our Lee Seung-jae reports.
Pope Francis, who visited South Korea in 2014, urged the leaders of South and North Korea to have "the courage of hope" and become "artisans of peace".
Speaking at the Vatican on Wednesday, the pontiff asked for prayers for the two Koreas,... saying the inter-Korean summit was an opportunity to start dialogue.

"On Friday, April 27th, in Panmunjom, there will be an inter-Korean summit to be attended by the leaders of the two Koreas, Mr. Moon Jae-in and Mr. Kim Jong Un. This meeting will be a good opportunity to start a transparent dialogue and a concrete path of reconciliation and new-found fraternity in order to secure peace in the Korean peninsula and in the whole world."

Addressing tens of thousands of people at his weekly general audience,... Pope Francis called for "transparent dialogue" between the two Koreas,... urging the two leaders at the first inter-Korean summit in more than a decade to act with courage to foster regional and world peace.
He also expressed his personal prayer to the Korean people who want peace,... adding that the Holy See supports every useful and sincere initiative to build a better future.


"To the Korean people who ardently desire peace, I assure my personal prayer and the closeness of the whole Church. The Holy See accompanies, supports and encourages every useful and sincere initiative to build a better future in the name of meeting and friendship among peoples."

No matter their religion or beliefs,... the world watches on as the inter-Korean summit may be the focal point in the future North Korea-U.S. summit,... and for peace on the Korean Peninsula.
Lee Seung-jae, Arirang News.