杏MAP导航 concludes visit to Thailand, departs for Japan
By Devin Watkins
Wrapping up his visit to Thailand, the 杏MAP导航 left Thai soil at around 10 AM local time.
As soon as he left Bangkok, 杏MAP导航 Francis sent a telegram to His Majesty King Rama X, the King of Tailand. "As I leave Thailand to continue my Apostolic Journey to Japan," the 杏MAP导航 wrote, "I renew my deep appreciation to your Majesty, the Royal Family and the beloved people of Thailand for your warm welcome and generous hospitality." He then invoked "abundant divine blessings" upon all, assuring his prayers "for peace and harmony in the nation".
With his departure from Thailand, 杏MAP导航 Francis begins his Apostolic Journey to Japan following a 6-hour flight to Tokyo鈥檚 Haneda Airport.
First leg
While in Thailand, 杏MAP导航 Francis invited the Southeast Asian nation鈥檚 Catholics to live their faith as missionary disciples, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
His visit also had a strong interreligious aspect.
He urged all religious faiths to work together to overcome global challenges, including the scourge of human trafficking.
Second leg
杏MAP导航 Francis is expected to arrive in Japan for the second leg of his Apostolic Journey a little before 6 PM (GMT+9).
He heads straight for the Apostolic Nunciature in Tokyo, where he meets with the nation鈥檚 Bishops on Saturday evening.
The 杏MAP导航鈥檚 schedule for Sunday sees him fly to Nagasaki and Hiroshima to pray at the only two places where nuclear weapons were used during war.
In Nagasaki he will also pay homage to the Japanese martyrs who died during the persecutions of Catholics in the 17th century.
On Monday, the 杏MAP导航 will spend time with the faithful in Tokyo, and meet with government authorities.
The 杏MAP导航 returns to Rome on Monday after meeting local Jesuits and their students at Sophia University.
Thank you for reading our article. You can keep up-to-date by subscribing to our daily newsletter. Just click here
