In South Korea, an estimated 800,000 people turned out to see Pope Francis conduct a Beatification ceremony of Korean martyrs on Saturday.<br /><br />The giant open-air Mass took place in the capital Seoul.<br /><br />Beatification is the last step before sainthood in the Catholic Church – in this case for 124 murdered Christians through recent Korean history.<br /><br />In his speech, Pope Francis also hit out at the growing wealth divide, calling on followers to listen to “the cry of the poor”.<br /><br />“Their (the martyrs) example has much to say to us who live in<br />societies where,alongside immense wealth, dire poverty is silently<br />growing; where the cry of the poor is seldom heeded and where<br />Christ continues to call out to us, asking us to love and serve him <br />by tending to our brothers and sisters in need,” the Pontiff said.<br /><br />Some commentators thought his message would be a tough listen for many Koreans. South Korea has quickly become one of the world’s wealthiest nations where average salaries are higher than Norway and Japan.<br /><br />Many attendees described being moved by Francis’ presence, the first visit to the country by a Pope since 1989.<br /><br />“With the Pope officiating the mass himself, I was honoured. This isn’t an opportunity that will happen again soon, so I think it was a meaningful time,” said Seo Ji-young, a student from Illsan.<br /><br />Another worshipper, banker Bae Joo-hee said she hoped his trip would leave a positive legacy.<br /><br />“Right now the country is very depressed, in general. I don’t think we should get carried away by that mood. I think the Pope’s visit will be a turning point to change that atmosphere,” she said.<br /><br />Around 10 percent of Koreans are Catholics; the Church adds some 100,000 new members every year.<br /><br />Pope Francis will remain in South Korea until Monday.
