South Korean President Moon Jae-in on Friday offered Pope Francis who was receiving him at the Vatican a cross made from barbed wire used to secure the border between the two Koreas.
Planted in a wooden base, the small Christian cross brought as a present to the Sovereign Pontiff was made by melting rusty barbed wire.
"
Just as barbed wire and its points melt in fire to become a beautiful cross, I hope we can forever melt this fierce barrier that separates our hearts,
" Moon Jae-In wrote in a text in Spanish.
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Contrary to what its name might suggest, the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) which divides the Korean peninsula over 250 kilometers is one of the most fortified places on the planet.
It is riddled with barbed wire fences and minefields, making any attempt to cross extremely dangerous.
"
The Republic of Korea [South Korea, note] is the last divided territory in the world,
" Moon said.
"
The function of barbed wire on the Korean Peninsula is to prevent those on the opposite side from crossing the border
."
5.9 million Catholics in South Korea
Francis gave him in return a bronze medal representing Bernini's original project for the construction of St. Peter's Square in the Vatican.
The meeting between the Argentine pope and the South Korean head of state was not open to the press.
But, in a statement, the Vatican stressed that Seoul and the Holy See "
share the hope that common effort and goodwill can promote peace and development in the Korean peninsula, supported by solidarity and brotherhood.
".
This is the second meeting between Jorge Bergoglio and Moon Jae-in after the latter's visit to the Vatican in 2018.
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The South Korean then recounted his recent visit to Pyongyang, during which the North Korean leader Kim Jong Un had according to him "
expressed his wish to welcome the Pope in his country
".
But Kim Jong Un never officially invited the Pope.
François went to South Korea in 2014, where he pleaded for reconciliation on the peninsula.
South Korea has 5.9 million Catholics, according to figures from the Korean Bishops' Conference, or 11.2% of its population.