“Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.” Matt 7:15

A smart businessman who has a wide portfolio of investment strategies planted throughout world markets will keep a watchful eye on all developing holdings and employ any necessary plans of action to minimize loss risks and ensure future gains. So go similar tactics, especially when trading in the souls of men. The most profitable investment, the jewel in the Vatican crown, is the trading in human souls that has brought a legacy to the kingdom of Rome of worldly power, riches and influence unmatched ever to any other holdings on this earth.

Pope Francis began work in Asia with the completion of his first planned visit to South Korea this past August. Scheduled Asian trips are set for early 2015 in the Philippines and Sri Lanka. Asia is the most populous continent, with 4.3 billion souls this makes up around 60% of the world population. The immense potential rewards of a greater Roman Catholic presence in the Eastern Land lies at the heart of this Roman quest. Unlike Europe and the U.S. this continent has experienced a new era in growth of Roman Catholicism over the last few decades and Francis wants to take full advantage of the potential that lies at hand. Recognizing the critical contribution being made to Catholic wealth today by the Asian flock, Francis has set an agenda that will help to meet the immediate and future goals of the Roman Church. South Korea has been the recent Papal soapbox used to encourage the Asian faithful to continue in growth while keeping their faith in check, continuing an ecumenical appeal and forging ahead to strengthen existing diplomatic ties throughout the continent, while establishing new ones.

Securing investments in Asia makes financial sense. At this time more seminarians are studying for the priesthood from Asia and Africa. The steady increase of Roman Catholic adherents over the last couple of decades from Asia contrasts the decline experienced in Europe and the U.S.

Investment Driven Politicking
Despite the political challenges the Pope is facing with some Asian countries like China and North Korea, Francis has made overtures to re-open diplomatic relations. Communist China expelled the Vatican Nuncio to China in 1951 ending diplomatic relations with the Holy See. The Chinese Patriotic Catholic Association, was established by the Chinese government in 1957 but they reject the authority of the Holy See and appoint their own bishops. This creates angst for Vatican-approved bishops who sometimes are forced to participate in the ordinations. China has in the past expressed their view of the Vatican as one trying to meddle in their internal affairs.

The Vice president to China’s Catholic Association recently responded to Francis’ appeal to renew an independent Catholic Church presence in China with the following statement – “China will always safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity and it never allows foreign forces to interfere with religion. The Vatican should respect China in terms of the personnel of a diocese.”

We shall wait and see. In the art of diplomatic relations it is not uncommon for behind-closed-door activities to be taking place to ensure both parties come out looking clean and little to no concessions were made that would damage the image and political powers of those involved. Rumors are that the Holy See and The People’s Republic of China have already been talking. Francis has recently referred to “the letter” by Pope Benedict XVI sent to Beijing in 2007 as still valid today. He said reading it again would do good. This letter affirms the Catholic Churches’ desire to govern only a state independent Roman Catholic Church in China and not interfere with their political governing. Francis realizes the potential investment of just having a foothold within the most populated country in the world.

It would appear that the Vatican, in typical fashion, is willing to exchange concerns about human rights and its doctrinal issues in favor of financial benefits.

In his visit to South Korea the Pope prayed for peace and reconciliation between the North and South split. Addressing Asian Bishops the pope said, “In this spirit of openness to others, I earnestly hope that those countries of your continent with whom the Holy See does not yet enjoy a full relationship may not hesitate to further a dialogue for the benefit of all.” Vatican spokesman the Rev. Federico Lombardi confirmed that the pope’s remarks were “obviously a sign of goodwill for dialogue” with China and other countries, such as North Korea, Vietnam, Myanmar, Laos, Bhutan, and Brunei. The ‘benefit to all’ statement had overtones of financial regard.

Portfolio Strategies From Korea
In South Korea Francis was received with great acceptance by the people due to what westerners have referred to as “The Francis Effect”. At his insistence he was chauffeured in a simple auto with a fitting name – a Soul. His popularity is easily understood when you compare his political behavior in contrast to their own politicians. Francis has an approach to social and economic views that define the Korean term “gong-gam” – to feel in the same way as another person, to try and understand what they are going through.

On the fourth day of his Papal visit Francis met with 70 Asian bishops to emphasize their importance in ecumenical approach. He said to them “On this vast continent which is home to a great variety of cultures, the church is called to be versatile and creative in her witness to the Gospel through dialogue and openness to all.” He stressed “If our communication is not to be a monologue, there has to be openness of heart and mind to accepting individuals and cultures.”

In typical ecumenical fashion the Pope also met in Seoul’s Catholic cathedral with leaders of various Christian faiths and with the heads of other main religious communities in Korea. After personally greeting each one he said to all “We must continue walking together”, “walking with God and going forward together. Pray for me”. The door was flung wide open for the mutual acceptance of all religions in gatherings and services in the future.

Impact Investment to Generate Sound Returns
Reaching for the hearts of Koreans and beyond, the pope took the time to officiate an open-air mass in Seoul and beatify 124 Korean Christian martyrs of the 18th and 19th centuries. Beatification is the last step before sainthood in the Roman Catholic Church and allows the capacity to intercede on behalf of individuals who pray to the dead in his or her name. The beatification of the martyrs is an applied tool used to refresh and strengthen the enthusiasm of the faithful Catholics throughout Asia who are often oppressed in their evangelical efforts.

It appears one large purpose of the papal visit was accomplished in Francis’ attendance of the sixth Asian World Youth Day. The South Korean visit was not just about reaching the local Catholics but to speak to a greater part of the Asian continent. The 6th Asian World Youth Day brought thousands of invited young Catholics from most of the countries of this vast continent where 60 percent of the world’s young people live. Young people coming from approximately 30 countries and from the four regions of the continent; South Asia, Southeast Asia, East Asia, and Central Asia were addressed by the pope who celebrated the concluding mass and gave a closing homily.

Using the slogan of the Youth Day event and speaking in positive and hopeful terms he said to young people  “Asian Youth! Wake up!” “you are not only a part of the future of the Church, you are also a necessary and beloved part of the Church’s present”. As Asians, he said, “you have a right and a duty to take full part in the life of your societies. Do not be afraid to bring the wisdom of faith to every aspect of social life”. As Catholics he said “Through the presence of the Holy Spirit given you in Baptism and sealed within you at Confirmation, and in union with your pastors, you can appreciate the many positive values of the diverse Asian cultures. You are also able to discern what is incompatible with your Catholic faith, what is contrary to the life of grace bestowed in Baptism, and what aspects of contemporary culture are sinful, corrupt, and lead to death.”

Keeping Tabs on Future Growth
The Pope’s visit also coincided with an important Roman Catholic day of celebration – The Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This commemoration of the death of Mary and her bodily assumption into Heaven, before her body could begin to decay- was taught and believed for centuries before it was defined and declared a dogma of the Catholic Church by Pope Pius XII in 1950. Exercising his papal infallibility, Pius declared “that the Immaculate Mother of God, the ever Virgin Mary, having completed the course of her earthly life, was assumed body and soul into heavenly glory.” By definition this has compounded the confusion of an already unscriptural belief, leaving enough vagary to allow Roman Catholics to believe that Mary did not die before the Assumption. This is a rip-off of God’s testimony about Enoch and Elijah and the promise of the Rapture. The opportunity to celebrate the adoration of Mary worked well for Francis to repoint any cracks that may exist in the mortar of Asian faith concerning Marian dogma.

Pope Francis said that the Virgin Mary is the “Mother of the Church in Korea.” He said “From Mary, full of grace, we learn that Christian freedom is more than liberation from sin. It is freedom for a new, spiritual way of seeing earthly realities.” Francis asked the Virgin Mary to guide efforts to “transform the world in accordance with God’s plan” and to enable the Church in South Korea to be “ever more fully a leaven of his Kingdom in the midst of Korean society.” Assuring the faithful he said “In her, all God’s promises have been proved trustworthy.”