The Practical Implications of Pope Francis’ Culture of Encounter and its Objectives of Establishing and Maintaining Peace in East Asia

Résumé

This article explores the realization of Culture of Encounter or COE in Pope Francis’ objectives of sharing the expertise of the Church in establishing peace and security in the East Asian region. The researcher used text-based analysis in reading Pope Francis’ prepared and impromptu speeches in his Apostolic Journeys in East Asia. An author-based analysis is also utilized to align the aims of COE in Pope Francis’ Apostolic Journeys. Since the last East Asian country visited was in 1995 by John Paul II, Pope Francis’ interest in the region was reawakened. The researcher finds that the East Asian countries that Pope Francis’ visited are ‘geographical peripheries’. The highlights in his apostolic journeys are consistent with the COE’s four principles of building a people of peace found in sections 222-237 of his Apostolic Exhortation, Evangelii Gaudium. Furthermore, as far as the assessment is concerned, Pope Francis’ Apostolic Journeys have a significant impact on the growth of peace in the region.