Vatican City: Pope Francis began a week-long visit to Asia. Pope Francis arrived in Thailand on 21st November, for a three-day visit and received a warm welcome. The pope arrived in Bangkok on the same afternoon after an eleven-hour flight. It is interesting to note that the Pope’s translator, Sr. Siveri, was on an apostolic visit to Thailand. Seventy-seven-year-old Sr. Siveri has been teaching at various schools in Thailand since the 1960s.
The Holy Father was greeted by 11 children representing eleven dioceses of Thailand. Deputy Prime Minister Somkid and officials arrived to represent the government. The bishops and clergy arrived at the airport to receive the Pope. On the said day, the pope met with Prime Minister Ain Ocha, Buddhist monk Somdej and King Maha Vajralongon.
The Pope addressed the contemporary issues of human trafficking and sex tourism in Thailand. On Saturday, November 23, the curtain fell for Thailand’s events. In 1669, the Apostolic Visit was commemorated on the thirtieth anniversary of the Vatican’s diplomatic relations with the people of Thailand, known as the “Siam Mission”. The motto of this visit is “Disciples of Christ Missionary Disciples”.
