ASIA/THAILAND - "The Holy Father is known and loved all over the country"

Friday, 8 April 2005

Bangkok (Fides Service) - “In Thailand were heard the news of the Pope’s death immediately through the media. Masses are being said for him in all our churches here. The Thai people express their sentiment and respect with silence” Fr. Alfonso de Juan SJ, missionary in Thailand told Fides. Father Alfonso has vivid memories of Pope John Paul II’s visit to Thailand in 1984, when he was received by the King at the palace and had a meeting with the Buddhist patriarch at the main Temple. The Pope also presided a Mass at the national football Stadium attended by 50,000 people; he ordained priests and visited Vietnamese refugees at Phanat Nikhom refugee camp. Moreover it was Pope John Paul II who gave the Church in Thailand its first cardinal Michael Michai Kitbunchu, Archbishop of Bangkok. “For all this and for much more the Holy Father is known and loved all over the country” the missionary said. (RG) (Agenzia Fides 8/4/2005)


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