( CNN ) -- Pope Francis arrived in Seoul Thursday , marking the first papal visit to the country in 25 years . The historic visit is also a nod to Catholicism 's shifting demographics as an increasing number of believers come from Latin America , Africa and Asia instead of its historic stronghold in Europe . `` The Pope 's visit to South Korea is the first part of a very intelligent opening to Asia , '' said Lionel Jensen , associate professor of East Asian Languages and Cultures at the University of Notre Dame . `` The Pope 's presence is a powerful symbol of the Vatican 's recognition that it is in Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa that the church is growing most prominently . '' During his packed , five-day visit to South Korea , the Pope will beatify 124 Korean martyrs , help celebrate the 6th Asian Youth Day , which is a gathering of Asian Catholic youth , and hold Holy Mass for Peace and Reconciliation , expected to be aimed at prayers for peace , including South and North Korean relations . North Korea fired five short-range projectiles into the sea east of the Korean peninsula , beginning about an hour before the Pope 's landing in Seoul , the South Korean Defense Ministry said . The Korean peninsula remains a divided one . One of the Pope 's missions is to `` go to Korea and pray for the reconciliation and peace , '' said Vatican spokesman , Padre Federico Lombardi . Pope Francis is expected to meet South Korean president , Park Geun-hye , as well as hold Mass with family members of the victims of the sunken Sewol ferry and comfort women , who were forced to sexual slavery by the Japanese in World War II , in attendance . A message of simplicity . Catholicism 's growth in South Korea has been incremental , rising from 5.2 million Catholics in 2005 to 5.4 million in 2013 . That represents a significant slowdown from the growth rate of 70 % seen in the 10 years to 2005 . Just 10.4 % of South Koreans are Catholic ; most are Buddhist or Protestant . In a country that is entrenched in the latest technologies and also home to one of the biggest average household debts , Pope Francis is expected to bring his usual message of simplicity and humility . The Pope had requested the smallest car possible for his trip . `` Korea has experienced rapid economic and social development , and now is struggling with the conflicts surfacing from increased social polarization , '' wrote Rev . Peter Kang U-il , the President of the Catholic Bishops ' Conference of Korea . The Korean Church must try to follow spiritual growth , rather than pursue material growth , he wrote . Thursday - August 14 ( Greetings with officials ) After his morning arrival , the Pope is expected to attend a private Mass and then proceed to the Blue House , which is the South Korean president 's residence , where he is to meet with Park and other South Korean officials . He meets with Korean bishops at the Korean Episcopal Conference . Friday - August 15 ( Interaction with youth ) Pope Francis will lead a Mass at the Daejeon World Cup Stadium . The stadium , built for the 2002 World Cup games , can accommodate up to 42,000 people . As part of efforts of Asian Youth Day , he will lunch with young people at a seminary and meet with more youth at a shrine for Catholic martyrs . Saturday - August 16 ( Beatification ) The Pope will beatify 124 martyrs , many of whom were persecuted from 1791 to 1888 . South Korea 's early Catholic history is marked by fierce persecution by the government . Catholicism was viewed as a foreign influence and also a threat to Confucianism , which was the governing social order . The Catholic Church estimates about 10,000 believers died in the persecutions beginning in late 18th century . Those who refused to denounce their faith were executed . Many of them were tortured and beheaded . One of the most infamous execution sites is Seo So Mun , now located in Seoul . With his message of embracing the marginalized , the Pope is scheduled to visit Kkottongne , which means flower village . The biggest welfare facility run by the Korean Catholic Church , the program works with homeless , disabled people and substance addicts . The facility includes an adoption center for abandoned disabled infants . Sunday -- August 17 ( Closes Asian Youth Day ) After meeting with Asian bishops from the region , Pope Francis is expected to hold the closing Mass for Asian Youth Day , which is expected to be attended by 2,000 young people . Monday - August 18 ( Mass for Peace and Reconciliation ) After meeting with religious leaders , Pope Francis holds a final Mass for Peace and Reconciliation at Seoul 's oldest cathedral , Myeong-dong Cathedral , in Seoul . Pope Francis is expected to hold a brief farewell ceremony before boarding a flight back to Rome . CNN 's KJ Kwon contributed to this report .
South Korea 's fires projectiles into the sea before the Pope 's arrival . Sewol is making his 6th visit to Asia . His Asia trip is a nod to growing Catholicism outside Europe . Sewol is expected to hold Mass with Sewol ferry victims , Asian escapees and former comfort women .