Pope
addresses South Korean leaders in English
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis’ first major
address during his Apostolic Voyage – to Korea’s political and civil leaders –
was also one of his first speeches in English. Sean Patrick Lovett, the head of
Vatican Radio’s English section, was in Seoul, and reports on the reaction to
the Pope’s words:
Many of the English-speaking journalists here at the Press Centre
in Seoul were so excited about hearing Pope Francis pronounce his first speech
in Korea in their language, they almost forgot to listen to what he said.
Nearly all of them awarded him top marks for pronunciation, modulation and tone
– which they felt more than befitted the occasion.
The
occasion, of course, was the first public event on the Pope’s Korean schedule:
his meeting with the nation’s authorities, members of government, the diplomatic
corps, and President Park Geun-hye.
The
Korean President’s address centred largely on describing the different events
that will involve the Holy Father during this apostolic visit – from the
celebration of Asian Youth Day to the Beatification of the 124 martyrs.
Referring to the final Mass for peace and reconciliation scheduled to be
celebrated in Myeong-dong Cathedral on the final day of the trip, she spoke of
the Korean War (waged between 1950 and 1953) as a gash in the nation’s history
and a wound that has lacerated Korean families as well.
Pope
Francis also referred to the fact that Korea is a land that “has long suffered
a lack of peace”. He expressed his appreciation for all efforts made towards
fostering a spirit of reconciliation on the Korean peninsula, “for it inspires
stability”, he said, “in the entire area and of our whole war-weary world”. (By
the way, it was that tongue-twister that won him the unashamedly appreciative
applause of the English-language press following the speech).
The
Pope warmly encouraged “the formation of new generations of citizens ready to
bring the wisdom and vision inherited from their forebears and born of
their faith to the great political and social questions facing the nation”.
He
reiterated the Korean Catholic community’s commitment to participating
fully in the life of the country, by reminding those present that “the Church
wishes to contribute to the education of the young, and the growth of a spirit
of solidarity with the poor and disadvantaged”.
But
his final words were for the elderly and the young people: “By preserving
memory and inspiring courage”, he said, “they are our greatest treasure and our
hope for the future”.
The
next time Pope Francis speaks publicly in English will be during the Angelus
after the Mass with young people in Daejeon. Hopefully we’ll be listening more
closely to what he says – rather than to how he says it.
Không có nhận xét nào:
Đăng nhận xét