VATICAN CITY — The Holy See has officially announced what Pope Francis’ schedule will be while in South Korea later this summer, during which he is slated to meet with Asian youth and beatify 124 Korean martyrs.

Announced by the Vatican in March, the Pope’s Aug. 13-18 trip follows an invitation from the president of the Korean Republic, Park Geun-hye, and the bishops of Korea.

Following the motto “Rise Korea, clothe yourself in light; the Lord’s glory shines upon you,” the Pope’s visit begins with his departure from Rome the evening of Wednesday, Aug. 13.

Upon his arrival the next day, Pope Francis will celebrate a private Mass at the apostolic nunciature of Korea and make a courtesy visit to the president of the Korean Republic. Afterward, he will meet with local authorities and the Korean bishops.

The following day, Thursday, Aug. 15, Pope Francis will travel to Daejeon, where he will celebrate Mass for the Solemnity of the Annunciation in the city’s World Cup Stadium and recite the Angelus prayer.

His other activities for the day include lunch with members of the major seminary of Daejeon and an event with Asian youth during the Sixth Asian Youth Day celebration.

On Saturday, Aug. 16, Pope Francis will make a visit to the Shrine of the Martyrs of Seo So mun, after which he will celebrate the beatification Mass of Paul Yun Ji-Chung and his 123 martyr companions.

Following the Mass, the Pope will visit with the disabled in the “House of Hope” rehabilitation center in Kkottongnae, and then he will meet lay leaders in the city’s Spirituality Center.

Sunday, Aug. 17, the Holy Father will travel to Haemi, where he will meet with the Asian bishops and have lunch with them in the Haemi shrine. Afterward, he will celebrate the concluding Mass for the Sixth Asian Youth Day.

Before leaving on his final day in Korea, Pope Francis will meet with various religious leaders and celebrate Mass for peace and reconciliation in the Myeong-dong cathedral of Seoul. He will then participate in a farewell celebration at the city’s air base and depart for Rome, where he will arrive close to 6pm.

This visit will mark the first time in 25 years that a pope has visited the Korean Peninsula, the last occurring when St. John Paul II came in October 1989, following a 1984 trip, where he canonized 103 Korean martyrs.

 

Please read below for the full itinerary of Pope Francis’ trip:

 

Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2014

4pm  Leave by plane from Rome’s Fiumicino for Seoul

 

Thursday, Aug. 14, 2014

10:30am  Arrive at the Seoul Air Base

12pm  Private Mass at the Apostolic Nunciature

3:45pm  Welcoming ceremony in the garden of the “Blue House” in Seoul and courtesy visit to the president of the Republic in the “Blue House”

4:30pm  Encounter with the authorities in the Chungmu Hall of the “Blue House” of Seoul

5:30pm  Encounter with Korean bishops in the conference headquarters of the Episcopal Conference of Korea

 

Friday, Aug. 15, 2014

8:45am  Transfer by helicopter to Daejeon

10:30am  Holy Mass on the Solemnity of the Annunciation in the World Cup Stadium of Daejeon and praying of the Angelus

1:30pm  Lunch with the youth of the Major Seminary of Daejeon

4:30pm  Transfer by helicopter to the Solmoe shrine

5:30pm  Encounter with the youth of Asia at the Solmoe Shrine

7:15pm  Transfer by helicopter to Seoul

 

Saturday, Aug. 16, 2014

8:55am  Visit to the Shrine of the Martyrs of Seo So mun

10am  Holy Mass and beatification of Paul Yun Ji-Chung and his 123 companions at the Door of Gwanghwamun in Seoul

3:30pm  Transfer by helicopter to Kkottongnae

4:30pm  Visit to the Rehabilitation Center for the Disabled in the “House of Hope” in Kkottongnae  

5:15pm  Encounter with the religious communities of Korea in the “School of Love” training center of Kkottongnae

6:30pm  Encounter with the leaders of the lay apostolate at the Spirituality Center of Kkottongnae

7pm  Transfer by helicopter to Seoul

 

Sunday, Aug. 17, 2014

10am  Transfer by helicopter to Haemi

11am  Encounter with the bishops of Asia in the Haemi shrine

1pm  Lunch with the bishops of Asia in the refectory of Haemi shrine

4:30pm  Holy Mass concluding the Sixth Asian Youth Day in the castle of Haemi

7pm  Transfer by helicopter to Seoul

 

Monday, Aug. 18, 2014

9am  Encounter with religious leaders in the palace of the old Curia of the Archdiocese of Seoul  

9:45am  Holy Mass for peace and reconciliation in the Myeong-dong cathedral of Seoul

12:45pm  Farewell ceremony from the Republic of Korea at the air base of Seoul

1pm  Departure by plane from the air base of Seoul to Rome’s Ciampino Airport

5:45pm  Arrival at Rome’s Ciampino Airport