Cardinal Nicholas Cheong Jin-suk, head of the Seoul Archdiocese of the Roman Catholic Church in Korea, has sent a congratulatory message to Buddhists ahead of the Buddha’s birthday next Monday.

In the message sent to the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism on Monday, Cheong said that he hoped the Buddha’s mercy will spread to the whole world, especially to the poor and underprivileged.

The cardinal said that Buddhists and Catholics who seek the path of spiritual salvation should work together to realize virtue and goodness, resolve societal conflicts and achieve justice, peace and truth.

The Seoul Archdiocese of the Roman Catholic Church plans to hang a banner commemorating the Buddha’s birthday at Myeongdong Cathedral in downtown Seoul from Friday.