President Park Geun-hye will personally greet Pope Francis at the Seoul Air Base on Thursday.
 
The presidential office said Wednesday that Park will meet the pope upon his arrival to South Korea in accordance with the pope’s status as a world religious leader.
 
Park will deliver a welcoming message at the airport, noting the papal visit is the first to Korea in 25 years since Pope John Paul II visited in 1989.
 
Later Thursday afternoon, Park will also host a welcoming ceremony for the pope at the presidential office before holding discussions.
 
Members from the pope’s delegation, senior South Korean government officials and senior officials of the diplomatic corps in Seoul will take part in the welcoming dinner.
 
After holding discussions, Park and the pope are set to deliver a speech before some 200 people from various circles.