#BreakingNews Pope Francis arrives in Thailand for his 32nd Apostolic Journey to Thailand and Japan - Video of Official Welcome

Vatican News reports that Pope Francis has arrived in Thailand for his 32nd Apostolic Journey.
Pope Francis arrived at the Bangkok Airport after an eleven-hour flight from Rome. Thailand is the first stop on his seven day Apostolic Journey to Asia taking him to Thailand and Japan.

The plane with the Pope, his entourage and about 70 journalists and media professionals, arrived in Bangkok just after noon, local time, on Wednesday.

The Holy Father will be in Thailand until 23 November and then Japan until 26 November. He will encourage 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.

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 his cousin, a Salesian Missionary Sister, Ana Rosa Sivori, age 77 and 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.

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.
Edited from VaticanNews.va

VaticanNews reported that on the eve of his 32nd apostolic journey to Asia, Pope Francis went this Tuesday morning to the Basilica of Saint Mary Major in Rome to pray before the image of Our Lady Salus Populi Romani. Pope Francis has visited the Basilica many times. The first time was the day after his election as Pope, on March 14, 2013. As has become customary, the Pope visits St. Mary Major before and after his trips abroad.