STATEMENT ON HOLY SEE MISSION TO NORTH KOREA

VATICAN CITY, MAY 16, 2002 (VIS) - The following communique was released this afternoon:

"An official visit to the People's Democratic Republic of Korea, undertaken by Msgrs. Celestino Migliore - under-secretary for Relations with States - and Luis Mariano, nunciature counsellor in the Secretariat of State, concluded last Tuesday, May 14.
"This was the sixth delegation that has gone to North Korea. It reaffirmed the Holy Father's constant solidarity with the North Korean people and contributed to giving continuity to the relations established with the government authorities in Pyongyang, especially with the minister of foreign affairs.

"In Pyongyang, the Holy See delegation held talks with the leaders of the 'Association of Catholics of North Korea' and was able to celebrate the feast of the Lord's Ascension in the church of Chan Chung with the local Catholic community and the international Catholic community."

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