The visit of Pope Francis to South Korea throws a spotlight on the challenges and opportunities facing the Vatican in Asia, a region that is home to 60% of the world's population but just 12% of the global Catholic community.
Asia offers potential for the Catholic Church to counterbalance falling membership in Europe and the U.S., yet it is a source of problems for Rome, including tensions with Hindu and Muslim communities, stiff competition from Protestant evangelical groups, and declining rates of church attendance.
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