Pope Francis held mass Friday for some 50,000 Catholics at a stadium in South Korea.

The festive crowd waved handkerchiefs and wore cardboard hats with the words "Viva il Papa Francesco"

Later in the day Francis spoke to thousands of young people during a Catholic Asian Youth Day event at a venue that apparently was quite warm.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) POPE FRANCIS SAYING:

"I want to thank you for your warm welcome. Very warm, eh?"

In his first major speech in English, the pontiff urged the young people to open their hearts to Christ.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) POPE FRANCIS SAYING:

"Today, Christ is knocking at the door of your heart, and of my heart. He calls you and me to rise and to be wide awake and alert to see the things in life that really matter."

This is the first papal visit to Asia since Pope John Paul II went to India in 1999.

It's also the first time a pope has been allowed fly over Chinese airspace.

Despite that gesture