(ANS – Seoul) – Pope Francis' visit to Korea came to an end yesterday. As a summary of it, we offer a reflection from Brother Hilario Seo, Social Communications Delegate.

"There can be no genuine dialogue unless we are able to open our mind and heart with empathy and sincere acceptance of those we are speaking to" the Pope told the Asian Bishops taking part in Asian Youth Day on August 17, at the Haemi Shrine. Then by who he was and how he acted, rather than by words, he showed himself to be a true model of communication.

• To communicate is to enter into real contact with people

It is nothing new to see the Pope embracing handicapped individuals and children. Pope Francis shows a brilliance all his own. In the room where the abandoned children at Kkottongnae were gathered, there was a child, two or three years old, with brain damage. He kept on sucking his thumb. The Pope came up to him and looked at him closely to greet him. Then, to general surprise he took him in his arms and put his own finger in the child's mouth and stayed there a while looking fondly on the child who was sucking his (the Pope's) finger. Just then the child was looking directly at the Pope and showed it with an angelic smile.

• Communication is dialogue, not monologue

"Would you like to listen to this long speech? Or would you like to ask me some questions and then just let me say a few words?" The unanimous claim from the students in the auditorium: "Listen to what we say, please!" I was standing on the stage, so I could see what the people couldn't. The Pope noted the questions from the young people, and then answered in English and Italian, improvising all the time. He clearly wanted a heart to heart dialogue, not follow a pre-prepared text.

Genuine dialogue needs an enormous capacity for empathy. The challenge is not to limit oneself to listening to others' words but to hear what is not said regarding their experiences, hopes and aspirations, their problems and what they have most at heart. The Pope teaches us that our communication needs an open mind and heart to accept individuals and cultures.

• To communicate is to build the kingdom of God

“In such a spirit of openness to others, I hope strongly the countries in your continent where the Holy See does not yet have full relations will not hesitate to foster a dialogue which will benefit everyone.” The Pope does not keep silent and is not afraid to tackle problems getting in the way of the Church's true freedom. What he told the Asian Bishops was a proposal of open dialogue with countries in the area who do not yet have diplomatic relations with the Holy See, like China, North Korea, Vietnam, Myanmar, Laos, Brunei etc.

Archbishop Savio Hon sdb, Secretary of the Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples, in a conference held in preparation for the Pope's apostolic visit  which was held at the Provincial House in Seoul, told us that hundreds of young people were not able to come because they had been blocked by their country's government.

• To communicate is to follow Christ's example

Dialogue between God and mankind was through a person of flesh and blood who dwelt amongst us, experiencing our joys and sufferings. We can only hear God's voice anew if it is truly incarnated, heart to heart. This is what Pope Francis taught us during his apostolic visit to Korea in 2014.

Published 19/08/2014