BANGKOK, Nov 20 (TNA) – His Holiness Pope Francis arrived
in Thailand on Wednesday to begin the 32nd trip of his pontificate visit
between November 20 and 23, the first papal visit to the Kingdom in 35 years
since Pope John Paul II in 1984.
Pope Francis’s visit coincides with the 350th anniversary of
the founding of the “Mission de Siam” by Pope Clement IX to oversee
Catholic missionary work in the country.
It is Pope Francis’ fourth trip to Asia which will include Japan from
November 23-26.
Siam is the former name of Thailand.
Upon his arrival at around noon on Wednesday, the pontiff
was welcomed by an official delegation at Bangkok’s Military Air Terminal 2.
General Surayud Chulanont, Privy Councilor and former prime
minister, welcomed Pope Francis on behalf of King Mahavajiralongkorn. A group of representatives of the Royal Thai
government was led by Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak.
As the pope was meeting with officials, he was assisted by
his translator, Salesian Sister Ana Rosa Sivori who is the pope’s second cousin
that has been a missionary in the country for more than 50 years.
About 100 members of the Catholic community in Thailand
waved Thai and Vatican flags to welcome Pope Francis.
His Holiness then continued to his temporary residence at
the Apostolic Nunciature in Bangkok.
On the second day of his visit, Pope Francis will attend an
official welcome ceremony at Government House where he will meet Prime Minister
Prayut Chan-o-cha and representatives of civil society and the diplomatic corps
before giving his first speech.
The Pope will pay a visit to the Supreme Patriarch Somdet
Phra Ariyavongsagatanana at Wat Ratchabophit Sathit Maha Simaram Temple. According to the Vatican, interreligious
dialogue is one of the focuses of the papal visit.
Then His Holiness will continue to St Louis Hospital to meet
its medical staff and patients.
Pope Francis will also meet with King Maha Vajiralongkorn
and Queen Suthida at Dusit Palace.
At 6 pm on Thursday, the pontiff will celebrate Holy Mass at
the National Stadium where tens of thousands of people from across Thailand and
neighboring countries have registered to attend, according to Catholic Bishops’
Conference of Thailand (CBCT).
There are around 389,000 Catholics in Thailand, representing
less than one percent of the population.
On the third day of the visit, the Pope will travel to
Nakhon Pathom province to meet clergy, worshippers, seminarians and catechists
in the parish of St Peters’ church, Sam Phran district, followed by a meeting
with the bishops of Thailand and the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences.
In the afternoon, he will visit Chulalongkorn University to
meet leaders of Christian denominations and other religions, before travelling
to the Cathedral of the Assumption to celebrate the second Holy Mass with
Christian youths from across Thailand.
On Saturday, the Pope will depart for Tokyo at 9.30 am.
(TNA)
