Pope beatifies 124 Korean martyrs in Gwanghwamun ceremony Pope Francis' Gwanghwamun mass draws massive crowd By Kwon Mee-yoo The principle event of Pope Francis' Korea visit - the beatification ceremony for Paul Yun Ji-chung, Korea's first martyr executed in 1791, and his 123 companions -took place at a packed Gwanghwamun square more than 800,000 in attendance. In a rare beatification Mass outside the Vatican, the pope recalled the legacy of the martyrs, whom the pope called an inspiration for a justice, freedom and harmony. The pontiff began his homily with a Biblical phrase "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?" from Rom 8:35. "Today is a day of great rejoicing for all Koreans. The heritage of Blessed Paul Yun Ji-chung and his companions _ their integrity in the search for truth, their fidelity to the highest principles of the religion which they chose to embrace, and their testimony of charity and solidarity with all _ these are part of the rich history of the Korean people," the pope said. Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin and Cardinal Yeom co-hosted the ceremony and some 100 bishops across the world attended the mass as well as 170,000 Catholics. He recognized the sacrifice in the history of Korean Catholic church. "The victory of the martyrs, their witness to the power of God's love, continues to bear fruit today in Korea, in the Church which received growth from their sacrifice. Our celebration of Blessed Paul and Companions provides us with the opportunity to return to the first moments, the infancy as it were, of the Church in Korea. It invites you, the Catholics of Korea, to remember the great things which God has wrought in this land and to treasure the legacy of faith and charity entrusted to you by your forebears." "The example of the martyrs also teaches us the importance of charity in the life of faith. ... If we follow the lead of the martyrs and take the Lord at his word, then we will understand the sublime freedom and joy with which they went to their death. We will also see today's celebration as embracing the countless anonymous martyrs, in this country and throughout the world, who, especially in the last century, gave their lives for Christ or suffered grave persecution for his name," the pope said. Art, music play important role  A large painting of the 124 martyrs was unveiled during the ceremony. Since no photos of the martyrs are left, artist Kim Young-joo painted them based on documents. The youngest martyr, Anastasia Yi Bong-geum, who was 12 at the time of her martyrdom, stands in the first row of the Blessd, holding a bouquet of Korean national flower mugunghwa (rose of Sharon) and lilies. Ju Mun-mo, who was the first foreign Catholic priest in Korea and the only clergy among the 124 martyrs, is wearing stole in the painting. Pianist Paik Kun-woo played Franz Liszt's "Legende No. 1: St. Francois d'Assise: La prddication aux oiseaux" (St. Francis of Assisi Preaching to the Birds) at the Gwanghwamun Square ahead of the beatification ceremony. Paik said he picked the music to match with the name of Pope Francis and played each note as if praying for the pope. Ahn Jin-woo, 37, who came to see the pope with his wife and two daughters, arrived at the venue at five in the morning. "The pope's smile consoles the injustice prevailing in our society. The government should listen to the pope's message," Ahn said. Francis Xavier Ahn Myong-ok, President of Special Episcopal Commission to Promote Beatification and Canonization of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Korea, petitioned for the 124 Korean martyrs to be elevated to the rank of the Blessed and the pope accepted the petition. Seosomun Martyrs' Shrine The pope began his third day in Korea with a visit to Seosomun Martyrs' Shrine, where the largest number of early Korean Catholics was executed. Local devout Catholics as well as descendants of the martyrs who suffer martyrdom at the site greeted the pope. The pontiff gave a silent prayer at the altar. paying tribute to the Korean Catholics who sacrificed their life for belief. The visit was recommended by Korean Cardinal Andrew Yeom Soo-jung, who valued the significance of the shrine in the history of Koran Catholics. Yane Ana Maria, 61, an Argentine woman living in Korea for 18 years, also came to the shrine to meet the pope. "I have known him when I was in Argentina. Cardinal Bergoglio was popular for his love for poor and modesty. I didn't expect to see him in Korea," she said. After the short visit to the shrine, the pontiff moved to Deoksu Palace across Seoul City Hall and transferred to an open car for motorcade. He stopped a few times during the car parade to bless children and speak with the relatives of Sewol Ferry disaster victims, who were protesting on his way to Gwanghwamun Sqaure.