Pope Francis heads to Thailand for Catholic masses and meeting with King Maha Vajiralongkorn
- Tens of thousands of Catholics are expected to gather in Thailand to see the Pope, including those from China, India, Vietnam and the Philippines
- New papal robes and two new popemobiles have been prepared for the four-day visit
In 1984, Choikrua was present when Pope John Paul II made a stop at St Louis Hospital in Bangkok.
“He arrived in the evening. I was standing five metres away from him. I didn’t get to touch him, but I was excited,” said Choikrua, who worked as a hospital mechanic at the time. “He went in to pray before coming out to give blessings to the children of the hospital staff. All the while, we cheered ‘Viva Papa!’”
His trip also commemorates the 350th anniversary of the establishment of the Apostolic Vicariate of Siam, which formally marked the beginning of the church in the country.
Pope Francis is expected to perform two masses: one on Thursday evening for 50,000 gatherers at the National Stadium and another on Friday evening in front of 7,000 youths at Assumption Cathedral.
Here, he will honour Thailand’s World War II-era martyrs, who were victims of persecution by Thais who viewed Christianity as foreign and associated with French colonial powers. Francis will pray at the sanctuary for Thailand’s first martyred priest, Nicholas Bunkerd Kitbamrung, who was beatified in 2000.
Also on Friday, Francis will visit Chulalongkorn University where he will meet leaders of other beliefs and denominations, university rectors, academics and students.
Last week, Pope Francis sent a message to the country in a video clip, urging an interfaith dialogue as he seeks to establish bonds with Buddhists in Thailand.
“During my journey I will have the opportunity to meet the Catholic community of Thailand to encourage them in their faith and in the contribution they make to the whole of society.
“I also hope to strengthen the bonds of friendship that we share with many Buddhist brothers and sisters who bear eloquent witness to the value of tolerance and harmony that are so characteristic of your people,” said the pope.
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“He is a spiritual leader and he cares very much about humanity,” Chaiyadej said. “His meetings with state leaders, religious leaders, academics, the youth and the people serve to show a connection through love among us that he represents.”
Protocol and security details have been established for the papal visit. Two brand new Vatican-approved popemobiles have been prepared to be used at the National Stadium and St Peter’s Parish, with number plates that read SCV – Status Civitatis Vaticanae or Vatican City State – fitting for the head of the papal kingdom.
Bangkok residents have been advised to steer clear from the downtown area during his visit as a number of roads will be blocked at certain hours to allow the pope’s motorcade to pass through.
“It is customary for the pope to have new robes, chasubles, during his visit because they represent different aspects of each place,” said Puttipong Puttansri, an archivist at the archdiocese of Bangkok.
At Assumption Cathedral, the sacred 173-year-old silver chalice believed to be a personal item of Jean-Baptiste Pallegoix, a vicar apostolic of Eastern Siam in the 19th century, will be on display to reflect the long-standing relationship between Thailand and the Vatican, Puttansri said.
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Additional reporting by Associated Press