Pope Francis has arrived at Bangkok Airport after an eleven-hour flight from Rome. Thailand is the first stop on a seven day Apostolic Journey to Asia taking him to Thailand and Japan.

The plane carrying the Pope, his entourage and around 70 journalists and media professionals, arrived in Bangkok just after noon, local time, on Wednesday, November 20.

This is Pope Francis’ 32nd Apostolic Journey, taking him to Thailand until 23 November and then Japan until 26 November. Confirming these nation’s small Catholic communities in the faith, promoting interreligious dialogue, defending life and the environment: these are just some of the themes underlining the visit.

ARRIVAL CEREMONY IN BANGKOK

A representative of the Royal Council of Thailand, and another six authorities representing the Thai Government, met the Pope on his arrival, together with members of the Thai Bishops’ Conference. Also there to greet him were 11 children representing the dioceses of Thailand where Catholics number around 300,000.

The Pope’s motorcade then left immediately for the Nunciature where Pope Francis is expected to rest before the first full day of the visit begins on Thursday,November 21.

THE FIRST PAPAL APPOINTMENTS

The Pope’s first appointment on Thursday is at Government House where the official Welcome Ceremony will take place. Pope Francis will meet privately with Thai Prime Minister, General Prayuth Chan-ocha, before addressing authorities, members of civil society and the diplomatic corps. Immediately afterwards, he will visit the Supreme Buddhist Patriarch, Somdej Phra Maha Muneewong, at the Wat Ratchabophit Sathit Maha Simaram Temple.

Before lunch, Pope Francis will meet medical staff and a group of patients at the St. Louis Hospital in Bangkok. This important healthcare facility was founded by Catholics in 1898. In the afternoon, the Pope will pay a private visit to the King of Thailand, Maha Vajiralongkorn Rama X, at the Amphorn Royal Palace.

The Pope’s first full day of events will conclude with the celebration of a Mass with young people in the National Stadium of Bangkok.

POPE COMES TO THAILAND TO PROMOTE PEACE, UNDERSTANDING

The first leg of Pope Francis’ 32nd apostolic visit abroad takes him to Thailand. He goes in the footsteps of Pope Saint John Paul II who visited the country in 1984.

Ninety five per cent of the Thai population is Buddhist. But Thailand is also a land of interreligious dialogue and respect for diversity. Christians in Thailand have enjoyed freedom of worship ever since the Portuguese arrived in the nation in 1511, planting the first seeds of the Gospel.

Monsignor Andrew Vissanu Thanya-anan, general coordinator of the papal visit and Deputy Secretary General of the Thailand Bishops’ Conference spoke to Vatican Radio about the expectations of the people preparing to welcome him.

Msgr Vissanu Thanya-anan said it has made him very happy to see that so many Thai Buddhists are excited to welcome Pope Francis to their country.

He says that in the run-up to the visit, the media has been talking about the reason the Pope has chosen to visit Thailand that counts so few Catholics.

“The Pope visits as a pilgrim for peace. That is why we like to underline that he comes to build bridges for peace and understanding,” he says.

So, Msgr Vissanu Thanya-anan continues, people are looking forward to him coming to create an atmosphere of peace, of respect for other people and to build bridges.
Although this is a Buddhist country, he notes, Thailand is a land of freedom where people respect each other and live together, including the Muslims in the south of the nation.
“We also have a town – a village – in which four different religions have lived together peacefully for centuries, providing a model,” he says.

Finally, Msgr Vissanu Thanya-anan points out that all Thais, who have watched the Pope on TV or who have seen photographs of him, appear to be very impressed by his capacity to communicate with young people and for his love for the poor and other vulnerable people.

They also, he says, appreciate his encyclical Laudato Sì on the care for Our Common Home: “and so everyone is happy that he is coming!”