BANGKOK, Nov 20 (TNA) – His Holiness Pope Francis arrived in Thailand on his four –day visit before leaving to Japan on Saturday.
His plane landed at the military airport in Bangkok’s Don Mueang after midday.
He was welcomed by the Thai government’s representatives including Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak, Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai and Culture Minister, Ittipol Khunpluem as well as the Air Force Chief and representative from the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Thailand (CBCT).
A guard of honour was presented and a 21-gun salute was fired in honour of the pontiff.
Pope Francis’ official visit to Thailand from Nov 20-23 is the first papal visit in almost four decades after the last apostolic visit was made by Pope John Paul II in 1984.
Before coming to Thailand, Pope Francis said his visit would help to highlight the importance of inter-religious dialogue, mutual understanding and fraternal cooperation.
Tomorrow, he will meet Thai Prime Minister, the Supreme Patriarch and His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn before giving a holy mass in the evening at the national stadium, where tens of thousands are expected to attend.
His visit also coincides with the 350th anniversary of the establishment of the “Mission de Siam“, which marked the introduction of the Church to the country.
On Saturday, he will fly to the second leg of his apostolic journey in Japan. (TNA)
