Pope Francis on Thursday received an invitation to visit North Korea and the pontiff indicated he would consider making what would be a landmark trip to a nation known for severe restrictions on religious practice, according to South Korean officials.

Pope Francis received an invitation on Thursday to visit North Korea, a message relayed to him in a private audience at the Vatican with President Moon Jae-in of South Korea, The New York Times reported. Moon, who is Roman Catholic, passed along the verbal invitation from North Korea’s leader, Kim Jong-un. South Korean officials said the pope had suggested that he would consider a visit if he received an official invitation. The Vatican did not comment on Francis’ reaction to the offer. The possibility of an invitation was raised this month, when Moon suggested that Kim invite the pope to North Korea, said Yoon Young-chan, Moon’s spokesman. The pope has repeatedly expressed a wish for...

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Pope Francis has said indicated that he may visit North Korea during a private audience with South Korean President Moon Jae-in, according to Vatican and South Korean officials.

Friction is growing between South Korea and the U.S. over how best to persuade North Korea to give up its nuclear program, with Washington maintaining pressure and Seoul seeking to ease sanctions.

Pope Francis on Thursday received an invitation to visit North Korea and the pontiff indicated that he would consider making what would be a landmark trip to the hermit nation, according to South Korean officials.

South Korea's president spoke of "heart-warming" moves toward peace on the Korean peninsula on Wednesday, a day before he is expected to relay an invitation to Pope Francis to visit North Korea.

South Korean President Moon Jae-in met Pope Francis on Thursday and the president's office said he had given the pope a letter from North Korean leader Kim Jong Un inviting the pontiff to visit.

More than 1.5 million people, among them "tens of thousands" of foreigners, have attended North Korea's new mass performances, state media said on Thursday, adding that the spectacle would be extended due to popular demand.

Singapore police on Thursday charged a citizen, a North Korean and three companies with supplying prohibited luxury items to North Korea, the latest example of sanctions breaches in the wealthy Asian city-state.