Korea: Pope visits centre for disabled, prays at cemetery for aborted babies

On Saturday afternoon Pope Francis visited the Kkottongnae centre which cares for around 3,000 elderly or disabled people. Some commentators objected to the Pope visiting this centre, because they said it was an old fashioned institution that keeps large numbers of people with disabilities hidden and separated from wider society - while recent pastoral practices endeavours to integrate them more. However - the images of Pope Francis meeting 50 or so delighted children and young adults with physical and mental disabilities were televised across the country and brought a powerful message to a society which often still views disability as something shameful.

During his visit Pope Francis gave a mosaic entitled 'Nativity' to the centre. Designed by Emanuela Rocchi, the Holy Family is depicted in a star, at the bottom of which a crowd of pilgrims make their way to worship the Christ Child.

After leaving the House of Hope the Pope stopped for a moment and prayed in a garden cemetery with hundreds of small white crosses marking the graves of babies who were aborted.

For more reports on Pope Francis' Apostolic Visit to Korea see: http://popekorea.catholic.or.kr/en