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| ▲This photo, provided by Vatican Media, shows Actors of the movie "Birth" and Pope Francis. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
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| ▲This photo, provided by Vatican Media, shows Pope Francis having individual audiences with movie officials. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
SEOUL, Nov. 16 (Yonhap) -- Casts of 'Birth', a film based on the life of the first native Korean Catholic priest St.Andrew Kim Tae-gon, has met with Pope Francis on Thursday.
Director Park Heung-sik, main and supporting actors such as Yoon Shi-yoon and Kim Kang-woo, and around 30 officials from production, investment, and distribution companies had an individual audience with Pope Francis at the Pope Paul VI Hall.
Pople Francis, after hearing about the film's intention and stories of St. Andrew Kim Tae-gon from host Lazarus You Heung-sik, said "It is impressive of Korea's great artists to make a film about St. Andrew," adding, "I am being honored for your visits."
Pope Francis mentioned St. Andrew as "beautiful christian, beautiful person as human," adding, "I think it also a blessing for you guys to study about his life while filming."
Pope did not end from giving typical words of blessings, but also talked about his experience with Koreans, showing special affection towards Korea.
Born in Buenos Aires, Pope Francis recollected Koreans he met there as smart entrepreneurs and people who can smile even in heaps of trouble.
Pope said, "Koreans are people who can smile," adding, "Those smiles are not faces with excessive makeup. It's a smile born from many hardships."
He continued, "Even in the pain of tragic war, diligent Koreans did not leave their works, and worked with smiles on their faces," adding, "I want to thank you guys for your smiles."
Pope also mentioned the Itaewon tragedy saying, "I still carry it in my heart how many young people in Korea unfortunately lost their lives during Halloween," adding, "I will pray for the victims."
Pope, on this day, met eyes and shook hands with each participants and sent a message of blessing.
When distribution official made a wish for the success of the movie, Pope said, "I will pray for ten million viewers," getting a big ground of applause.
Park Hueng-sik direction, after an individual audience with Pope, said, "St. Andrew smiles when he dies in the name of God in the movie. I was surprised when Pope mentioned that Koreans are people who can smile even in agony."
First native Korean to be ordained as a priest, St. Andrew Kim Tae-gon was martyred at a young age, 26 years-old. Rather than focusing heavily on the religion, it concentrates on the life of young man Kim Tae-gon, a pioneer who opened the door to modern times of Joseon.
Director Park said, "It's a film that can give young pople consolation and courage," adding, "The reason we made a movie about Kim Tae-gon is because last year was the 200th anniversary of his birth, but also because our generation needs need St. Andrew Kim Tae-gon."
Actor Yoon Shi-yoon who played Kim Tae-gon said, "I hope people only see the character Kim Tae-gon, not me," adding, "That's what I told Pope as well."
He said, "I hope young man Kim Tae-gon at a far away land cross the sea and arrive at Vatican through me," emphasizing again, "I hope only character Kim Tae-gon, not me, is seen in this movie."
Pope usually have only two individual audiences for about an hour before "Wednesday regular audience," which he officiates every Wed. morning, but pope used all this hours for Korean movie men for this day.
The first preview of movie "Birth" took place at New Synod Hall of Vatican that afternoon for prelates. The movie will be released on Nov. 30 in Korea.
While preview at Vatican is special, Catholic officials said it is more exceptional to rent the New Synod Hall.
New Synod Hall is where important meetings like a conference of College of Cardinals take place, and renting this hall shows that Pope was very considerate.
(This article is translated from Korean to English by Jiwon Woo.)
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