Sumi Jo: "The Pope's Smile and Voice Remain in My Heart"
Hyungjoo Lim: "A True Elder and Mentor to People Around the World"
Following the passing of Pope Francis, tributes from domestic cultural and artistic figures who had personal connections with the Pope continued. First, soprano Sumi Jo posted a photo on social media on the 21st, taken when she met Pope Francis during his visit to Korea in 2014. A devout Catholic whose baptismal name is Teresa of Lisieux, Sumi Jo wrote, "The Pope's warm smile, the gentle voice with which he told me he liked my Bach album, and even the rosary he handed to me for my mother?every moment remains unforgettable and close to my heart," adding, "Rest in peace."
Tributes from domestic cultural and artistic figures who had connections with Pope Francis continued following his passing. First, soprano Sumi Jo posted a photo on social media on the 21st, taken when Pope Francis visited Korea in 2014. Sumi Jo Instagram
On August 15, 2014, Sumi Jo performed Bach and Gounod's "Ave Maria," Ennio Morricone's "Nella Fantasia," and Russian composer Igor Krutoy's "La Fantasia" at the Mass for the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, presided over by Pope Francis at Daejeon World Cup Stadium. "Nella Fantasia" is the theme song from the film "The Mission," which depicts Jesuit missionaries martyred in South America. Pope Francis was the first pope from South America and also the first from the Jesuit order. After the performance, Sumi Jo shared on social media the gifts exchanged with Pope Francis. She presented him with her album "Only Bach," and the Pope, saying, "I love Bach very much; I always listen to it before bed," gave her a rosary in return.
Hyungjoo Lim, a Catholic popera tenor, also wrote on his social media that day, "He was someone who delivered messages for world peace until the day he left," adding, "I love you, please rest peacefully beside the Lord." Previously, in September 2023, Hyungjoo Lim had an audience with the Pope in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. Pope Francis became the first pope in history to make an official visit to Mongolia, and Hyungjoo Lim was the only musician from around the world invited to perform at the closing ceremony of the Mass.
Catholic popera tenor Hyungjoo Lim also wrote on his SNS that day, "A person who gave a message for world peace until the day he left," adding, "I love you, please rest peacefully beside the Lord." Hyungjoo Lim Instagram
Hyungjoo Lim contributed significantly to building a school in Mongolia and was granted a special audience with the Pope, attended by a select few, including Mongolian ministers, ambassadors residing in Mongolia, and other key figures connected to Catholicism. Reflecting on the event in Mongolia, Hyungjoo Lim wrote on social media, "To sing and have a private audience before you, a true elder of our time and a warm mentor to people around the world, was perhaps the greatest honor of my life."
Meanwhile, during his visit to Korea in 2014, Pope Francis personally met with bereaved families and surviving students of the Sewol ferry disaster before Mass and commemorated those who died in the tragedy during the service. In light of the Pope's passing, broadcasters also changed their programming to pay tribute. On April 22, KBS 1TV will air "Documentary Insight: Special Memorial for the Passing of Pope Francis" at 10 a.m. instead of a rerun of "Ask Anything." This is a rebroadcast of the "The Pope and the Cardinal" episode, originally aired in September 2022 on "Documentary Inside." The program features an interview with Pope Francis during his lifetime, as well as the Vatican life of You Heung-sik, the first Korean to serve as a prefect in the Vatican.
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