Asia

Delegates visit North Korea
A VATICAN Delegation has returned from North Korea where it sought to demonstrate "the Holy Father's constant solidarity with the North Korean people," as well as to promote contacts with the country's government.
During the trip led by Mgr Celestino Migliore, the visitors met leaders of the governmentapproved Association of Catholics of North Korea, and celebrated Mass with some of the estimated 3,000 North Korean faithful. The visit was the sixth by a Vatican delegation to North Korea.
A FILIPINO PRIEST has urged communist rebels to free a pregnant woman, a sick soldier and two others accused of spying for the government.
Fr Jesus Villagante of Marbel diocese has been working for the release of Henninia Sorongon, intelligence officer Sergeant Jeremias Rosete, and Wilfredo Maldecir and Pepito Simbulan since they were seized on September 4.
Last week, Father Villagante renewed his appeal to the New People's Army (NPA) at a press conference, adding that the families of the prisoners are losing hope and do not know what else to do to get their relatives freed.