North Korea’s Kim Jong-un invited Pope Francis to visit Pyongyang

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has invited Pope Francis to visit Pyongyang in a gesture designed to highlight peace efforts on the Korean Peninsula, South Korea’s presidential office said Tuesday.

North Korea and the Vatican have no formal diplomatic relations. South Korean President Moon Jae-in will deliver Kim’s invitation when he meets Francis next week during a trip to Europe, Blue House spokesperson Kim Eui-kyeom said.

“President Moon will visit the Vatican on Oct. 17 and 18 to reaffirm its blessing and support for peace and stability of the Korean peninsula,” the spokesperson told a news briefing. “Especially when he meets with Pope Francis, he will convey Chairman Kim’s message that he will ardently welcome him if he visits Pyongyang.”

Meanwhile the Pope’s spokesperson confirmed that Pope Francis stumbled and fell on his way to Santa Marta. However the Pope “got up on his own and he’s fine. Keep calm”. These were the words with which the spokesperson of the Vatican Press Office, Greg Burke, introduced the usual briefing dedicated to the Synod of Bishops on young people, to report on the state of health of the Pope.

The small incident occurred at the end of the Synod’s work.