Pope Francis leads prayer for peace ahead of North Korea summit

Pope Francis led worshippers in praying for peace ahead of the summit Tuesday between President Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

The Roman Catholic leader extended “a special thought to the beloved Korean people” while speaking to worshippers in St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City on Sunday, according to the Catholic News Service.

“May the talks that will take place in the next few days in Singapore contribute to the development of a positive path that assures a future of peace for the Korean Peninsula and the whole world,” he said. {mosads}

The pontiff’s comments come ahead of the highly anticipated meeting between Trump and Kim in Singapore as the U.S. pushes for denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.

The religious leader condemned escalating tensions between the U.S. and North Korea last year, warning that “a good part of humanity” was at risk in a major conflict.

“I call on them, and I will call on them, as I have on leaders of different places, to work to resolve their problems through diplomatic avenues,” he said at the time.

Francis praised the announced talks between Trump and Kim in April, calling for a transparent dialogue.

“This encounter can be a propitious occasion to start a transparent dialogue and a concrete path to reconciliation and renewed fraternity aimed at guaranteeing peace on the Korean peninsula and in the whole world,” the pope said. 

Trump and Kim are slated to come face-to-face on Tuesday in the first meeting ever between a sitting U.S. president and North Korean leader, with the only other people in the room for the initial meeting being translators.

The White House said the two leaders will then hold an expanded meeting with their advisers as well as a working lunch.