Pope Francis challenged Koreans to cast off a "mindset of suspicion and confrontation" that darkens the relationship of both the North and the South to peace.

During his visit to Seoul, Pope Francis held a Mass of Reconciliation at the country's main cathedral. South Korea's President Park Geun-Hye attended the celebration together with some defectors from North Korean and the Korean people.

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The Pope greeted seven women seated in wheelchairs who were victims of Japanese sexual slavery in World War II. A woman gave the pope a butterfly pin - a symbol of predicament of these "comfort women" - which he immediately pin on his vest and wore.

The Pope's visit is to Seoul marks the final stop for his five-day event and represents Asia's importance to the Vatican.

In his homily, Pope Francis pleaded for peace even after North Korea gave a warning on the on-going joint military drill between the U.S. and South Korea. The North said that the joint military exercises will result in a merciless preemptive strike.

Pope francis also said that reconciliation can only be brought by forgiveness - a word which may seem impossible, impractical, repugnant, but that is the only way by which reconciliation may take place.

Cardinal Andrew Yeom Soo-jung of Seoul offered a "crown of thorns" to the pope before the mass began. The crown was made of barbed wire taken from the fortified zonethat separates the two Koreas. Inscribed on the crown were the words "Ut unum sint" meaning "That they may be one."

The Pope firmly challenged the people of Korea to reject the mindset of confrontation, competition and suspicion and to change it into a culture based on the Gospel.

Aside from holding a Mass, Pope Francis consoled the families of the victims of the Sewol ferry that sank and killed 300 passengers.

In January of next year the Pope will be visiting the Philippines and Sri Lanka.

TagsPope Francis, Mass of Reconciliation, North and South Korea