Pope Francis on Friday received in audience the President of the Republic of Korea, Mr. Moon Jae-in, at the Vatican Apostolic Palace, TASS reports.

A statement by the Holy See Press Office notes that during the cordial discussions, “appreciation was shown for the good bilateral relations between the States and for the positive contribution the Catholic Church offers to society, evoking particular diligence in the promotion of dialogue and reconciliation between Koreans.”

During the meeting, Pope Francis and Moon Jae-in exchanged gifts, with the Holy Father presenting him with a bronze medal depicting Bernini's original design for St. Peter's Square, volumes of papal documents, a copy of the Message for World Peace Day 2021, the Document on Human Fraternity signed in Abu Dhabi, and the book on the Statio Orbis of March 27, 2020, published by the Vatican Publishing House.

President Moon Jae-in reciprocated the Pope’s gesture, presenting him with a cross made of barbed wire from the demilitarized zone on the border with North Korea.