ROME — Pope Francis received an invitation on Thursday to visit North Korea, a message relayed to him in a private audience at the Vatican with President Moon Jae-in of South Korea.

Mr. Moon, who is Roman Catholic, passed along the oral invitation from North Korea’s leader, Kim Jong-un. South Korean officials said the pope had suggested that he would consider a visit if he received an official invitation.

The Vatican did not comment on Francis’ reaction to the offer.

The possibility of an invitation was raised this month, when Mr. Moon suggested that Mr. Kim invite the pope to North Korea, said Yoon Young-chan, Mr. Moon’s spokesman.

The pope has repeatedly expressed a wish for dialogue and reconciliation between the governments of North and South Korea, and has urged the faithful across the globe to pray for it.