Pope Francis is tending to the needs of the small Catholic flock in Thailand, meeting with priests, nuns and bishops from across Asia to encourage them to spread the faith as their missionary predecessors did.
Francis on Friday heads first to a sanctuary dedicated to Thailand’s first martyred priest to meet with Thai clergy and religious sisters, followed by the Asian bishops conference and members of his own Jesuit order.
In the afternoon, he attends an interfaith encounter, where he’s expected to highlight areas where Catholics can cooperate with Buddhists, Muslims and members of other Christian denominations.
Pope Francis waves as he arrives at the National sports stadium for an open air mass in Bangkok, Thailand, Thursday, Nov. 21, 2019. Pope Francis urged more efforts to combat the "humiliation" of women and children forced into prostitution as he began a busy visit Thursday to Thailand, where human trafficking and poverty help fuel the sex tourism industry. (AP PhotoManish Swarup)
Francis wraps up the day with a Mass dedicated to young people at Bangkok’s Cathedral of the Assumption.
Francis leaves Saturday for Japan for the second and final leg of his trip.