BANGKOK, Nov 21 (TNA) – Pope Francis met with Thailand’s
Supreme Patriarch Somdet Phra Ariyavongsagatayana IX during his Thailand visit
on Thursday.
In the meeting at Wat Ratchabophit Sathit Maha Simaram temple, the
Supreme Patriarch recalled his presence in the 1984 historic visit of Pope
Saint John Paul II to his predecessor 35 years ago. This meeting also took place in the very same
ordination hall, he said.
His Holiness the Supreme Patriarch also mentioned Vatican
visits by the kings of Thailand in 1897, 1934 and 1960 that showed “deep and
lasting friendship” and “a true spirit of mutual understanding and equal
partnership.”
Addressing to the Supreme Patriarch, Pope Francis said the
meeting was “part of the journey of esteem and mutual recognition initiated by
our predecessors,” confirming that he wanted to follow footsteps of his
predecessors in order to “increase respect but also friendship between our
communities.”
Pope Francis expressed his gratitude for the fact that
Catholics had enjoyed freedom in religious practice despite being in a minority
in Thailand. “For many years (they) have
lived in harmony with their Buddhist brothers and sisters,” the Pope said.
Pope Francis went on to encourage interreligious works with
“the development of new charitable projects” by members of both religions to
generate initiatives on the path of fraternity.
Both religions could contribute to the formation of a culture of
compassion, fraternity and encounter, he said.(TNA)
