Pope Francis arrived in Seoul Thursday, marking the first papal visit to the country in 25 years.

Pope Francis (center) is greeted by well-wishers as he is flanked by South Korean President Park Geun-hye (2nd right) upon his arrival at Seoul Air Base in Seongnam  on Thursday. Pope Francis will touch base with the five million Catholics in South Korea, his first trip to Asia as a pontiff. 

Manila - 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."