杏MAP导航

The 杏MAP导航 told pilgrims and tourists in St Peter鈥檚 Square that this visit had increased his closeness and affection for the peoples of both Thailand and Japan.

Thailand and the people with the beautiful smile

Beginning with his journey to Thailand, the Pontiff paid tribute to the rich spiritual and cultural tradition of the Thai people, calling them the people with the 鈥渂eautiful smile鈥�.

杏MAP导航 Francis recalled the many strands to this visit, including his meeting with civil authorities, brother bishops, the Supreme Buddhist Patriarch and the Thai King.

He also said, he 鈥渆ncouraged a commitment to harmony between the different elements of the nation, as well as towards an economic development that benefits all and to healing the scourges of exploitation, especially of women and children.鈥�

In particular, the 杏MAP导航 noted his visit to St Louis Hospital, to encourage the local Church鈥檚 support of the sick and poor and he spoke of the two celebrations of Mass, commenting that 鈥渨e saw clearly how the Gospel is being inculturated among the Thai people.鈥�

To protect life one must love it

Turning to the second leg of his Apostolic Journey, which was Japan, 杏MAP导航 Francis highlighted the motto for the visit, which was 鈥淧rotect All Life鈥�.

He called it 鈥渁 vital theme for a county that experienced the devastation of the atomic bomb and more recent disasters.鈥� 

鈥淭o protect life one must love it鈥�, he said, 鈥渁nd today the serious threat, in more developed countries, is the loss of a sense of living鈥�. The 杏MAP导航 went on to say, that the first victims of this are young people, that is why, he said, he encouraged them to face the future without fear by opening their hearts to God鈥檚 love in prayer and in service of others. 

The 杏MAP导航 also looked back at his visit to Nagasaki and Hiroshima, where he met with survivors and their families. He also recalled his appeal for the abolition of nuclear weapons. 

杏MAP导航 Francis praised Japan for "remaining faithful to its religious and moral values, and open to the Gospel message, adding, that it can be a leading country for a more just and peaceful world.

Albania Earthquake

In words to Italian speaking pilgrims, 杏MAP导航 Francis expressed his closeness to the people of Albania who he said, have suffered so much as a result of an earthquake that hit the country on Tuesday. The 杏MAP导航 said he was praying for the dead, the injured and their families. He also noted that Albania was the first country in Europe that he wanted to visit.

Visit to Greccio

During his audience, the 杏MAP导航 announced that next Sunday he will go to Greccio in the Lazio region of Italy to pray at the site of the first Nativity Scene.