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Pope Arrives in Thailand to Encourage Catholic Minority

Associated Press

   BANGKOK - Pope Francis arrived in Bangkok on Wednesday to begin a tour
   of Thailand and Japan, beginning a mission to boost the morale of those
   countries' tiny minority Catholic communities and speak about issues of
   concern including human trafficking and peacemaking.

   He is expected to highlight his admiration in Thailand for the
   community's missionary ancestors who brought the faith to this Buddhist
   nation centuries ago and endured bouts of persecution as recently as
   the 1940s.

   Francis was greeted by Surayud Chulanont, former prime minister and
   head of King Maha Vajiralongkorn's Privy Council.

   His warmest welcome, however, came from his second cousin, Sister Ana
   Rosa Sivori, who has been a missionary in Thailand since the 1960s and
   will serve as his translator during his time here. On stepping down
   from the plane, the first thing Francis did - even before his official
   welcome from Surayud - was to hug his cousin.

   He also met about a dozen children in traditional hilltribe attire. One
   wearing an elaborate headdress came forward with a huge smile on her
   face and hugged him. He also received an artillery salute.

   Francis' three-day visit to Thailand, followed by three days in Japan,
   will be a welcome break for the 82-year-old pope. He is enduring fresh
   opposition from Catholic conservatives in the U.S. over his
   just-concluded meeting on the Amazon as well as a new financial scandal
   at home.

   Leaving those concerns behind, Francis will meet with Thailand's
   supreme Buddhist leader, Thai authorities as well as all the Catholic
   bishops of Asia _ a rare chance for him to address some of the major
   challenges facing the Catholic Church in the region and the men
   responsible for dealing with them.

   On the eve of the trip, the Vatican secretary of state, Cardinal Pietro
   Parolin, said interfaith relations and emphasizing the dignity of every
   person are likely to be raised.

   Francis has made the fight against human trafficking a hallmark of his
   papacy. He is expected to raise this issue in Thailand, which is a key
   transit point for victims of human trafficking, forced labor and the
   sex trade.