Pope Francis, who beat out U.S. President Barack Obama as the most influential leader on Twitter, is continuing to reach out to the people of Korea through social media. 

The 77-year-old leader of the Roman Catholic Church has posted six messages in Korean since his departure from the Vatican City on Wednesday evening for Korea. 


In one post, he asks followers to pray for Korea. In another, he blesses the country, particularly the elderly and the youth. 

The pontiff tweets in nine languages including English and Arabic to 12 million followers. The six Korean-language messages appeared on the English account @Pontifex. 

Here’s what the shepherd of 1.2 billion Roman Catholics worldwide said in Korean through Twitter:

“As I begin my trip, I ask you to join me in praying for Korea and for all of Asia.” (Posted on Aug. 13 before his departure for Korea) 

“May God bless Korea - and in a special way, the elderly and the young people.” (Posted on the morning of Aug. 14, shortly after his arrival in Korea) 

“Saint John Paul II, pray for us and especially for our youth.” (Posted on the afternoon of Aug. 15)

“Mary, Queen of Heaven, help us transform the world according to God’s plan.” (Posted after his first public Mass in Daejeon on Aug. 15)

“Dear young people, Christ asks you to be wide awake and alert, to see the things in life that really matter.” (Posted in the afternoon of Aug. 15 before meeting youths from Asia) 

“The martyrs teach us that wealth, prestige and honor have little importance: Christ is the only true treasure.” (Posted on Aug. 16 after the Mass to beatify 124 Korean martyrs)

By Lee Sun-young (milaya@heraldcorp.com)