Pope Francis

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Pope Francis' trip to Thailand and Japan -- November 19-26, 2019

Photo gallery at the link
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2019-11/pope-on-board-to-journalists-make-known-these-cultures-far-from.html
Pope on board to journalists: Make known these cultures far from the West
20 November 2019, 09:10

On board the flight that took Pope Francis to Thailand, the first stop of his 32nd apostolic journey, he greeted journalists thanking them for their work.. Before leaving Rome, he met with with ten elderly people in the Casa Santa Marta
Alessandro Di Bussolo - Vatican City

On the flight to Thailand, the first stage of his 32nd apostolic journey and the fourth to East Asia, the Pope greeted journalists on board saying, "Good evening, thank you for accompanying me on this journey, thank you for your work, it is so good for people to be informed, to know these cultures that are far from the West".
 
https://cruxnow.com/pope-in-thailand-and-japan/2019/11/en-route-to-thailand-pope-francis-talks-about-well-booze/
En route to Thailand, Pope Francis talks about … well, booze
Inés San Martín  Nov 20, 2019

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Pope Francis' trip to Thailand and Japan -- November 19-26, 2019

Video at the link
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2019-11/pope-arrives-thailand-start-apostolic-journey.html
Pope arrives in Thailand at the start of his 32nd Apostolic Journey
20 November 2019, 06:41

Pope Francis arrives at Bangkok Airport after an eleven-hour flight from Rome. Thailand is the first stop on a seven day Apostolic Journey to Asia taking him to Thailand and Japan.
By Vatican News

The plane carrying the Pope, his entourage and around 70 journalists and media professionals, arrived in Bangkok just after noon, local time, on Wednesday.

This is Pope Francis’ 32nd Apostolic Journey, taking him to Thailand until 23 November and then Japan until 26 November. Confirming these nation’s small Catholic communities in the faith, promoting interreligious dialogue, defending life and the environment: these are just some of the themes underlining the visit.

Arrival ceremony in Bangkok

A representative of the Royal Council of Thailand, and another six authorities representing the Thai Government, met the Pope on his arrival, together with members of the Thai Bishops’ Conference. Also there to greet him were 11 children representing the dioceses of Thailand where Catholics number around 300,000.

The Pope’s motorcade then left immediately for the Nunciature where Pope Francis is expected to rest before the first full day of the visit begins on Thursday.
 
YouTube video at the link below--
Pope Francis-Bangkok-Official Welcome 2019-11-20
https://www.youtube.com/user/vatican

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Pope Francis' trip to Thailand and Japan -- November 19-26, 2019

https://cruxnow.com/vatican/2019/10/vatican-publishes-updated-schedule-for-papal-trip-to-thailand-japan/
Vatican publishes updated schedule for papal trip to Thailand, Japan
Catholic News Service  Oct 28, 2019
 
Here is the updated schedule released by the Vatican Oct. 28, which does not include times for some meetings in Japan. Times listed are local, with Eastern Time in parentheses[/b]:
 
Thursday, Nov. 21 (Bangkok)

- 9 a.m. (9 p.m. Nov. 20) Welcoming ceremony in the courtyard of Government House.
- 9:15 a.m. (9:15 p.m. Nov. 20) Meeting with the prime minister in the Inner Ivory Room of Government House.
- 9:30 a.m. (9:30 p.m. Nov. 20) Meeting with government authorities, civic leaders and members of the diplomatic corps in the Inner Santi Maitri Room of Government House. Speech by pope.

- 10 a.m. (10 p.m. Nov. 20) Visit with the Buddhist supreme patriarch of Thailand at the Wat Ratchabophit temple. Greeting by pope.
- 11:15 a.m. (11:15 p.m. Nov. 20) Meeting with medical personnel at St. Louis Hospital.
- Noon (12 a.m.) Private visit with the patients and people with disabilities. Greeting by pope.

- Lunch in the apostolic nunciature.

- 5 p.m. (5 a.m.) Private visit with King Maha Vajiralongkorn at the royal palace.
- 6 p.m. (6 a.m.) Mass in National Stadium. Homily by pope.
 

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Pope Francis' trip to Thailand and Japan -- November 19-26, 2019

Video, with English commentary, at the link

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2019-11/pope-in-thailand-the-commitment-to-live-in-justice-solidarity.html
Pope in Thailand: the commitment to live in justice, solidarity and harmony
21 November 2019, 04:00

Pope Francis delivers his first official discourse in Thailand to members of government, civil and religious leaders, and the diplomatic corps. Among other things, he reminds them that being at the service of the common good is one of the noblest tasks anyone can undertake.
By Vatican News

Pope Francis arrived in Bangkok on Wednesday on the first leg of his seven-day Apostolic Journey to Asia. But the official welcome ceremony took place on Thursday morning at Government House, where he met with the Thai Prime Minister, civil and religious leaders, and members of the diplomatic corps.

In his discourse, the Pope described Thailand as “the guardian of age-old spiritual and cultural traditions”, a multi-ethic and diverse nation that has “long known the importance of building harmony and peaceful coexistence between its numerous ethnic groups”.
 

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Pope Francis' trip to Thailand and Japan -- November 19-26, 2019

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2019-11/pope-in-thailand-catholics-and-buddhists-can-live-together.html
Pope in Thailand: Catholics and Buddhists can live as “good neighbours”
21 November 2019, 05:00

On his first full day in Thailand, Pope Francis meets the Buddhist Supreme Patriarch and confirms the Church’s commitment to open and respectful dialogue in the service of peace.
By Vatican News

The meeting took place on Thursday morning at the Wat Ratchabophit Sathit Maha Simaram Temple in Bangkok.

A lasting friendship

In his address to the Pope, the Buddhist Supreme Patriarch Ariyavongsagatanana IX recalled the historic visit of Pope Saint John Paul II to his predecessor 35 years ago, a meeting at which he had been present. The Patriarch went on to list visits made by the Kings of Thailand to the Popes in the Vatican: to Leo XIII in 1897, Pius XI in 1934, and John XIII in 1960. He spoke of a “deep and lasting friendship”, a “coming together within a true spirit of mutual understanding and equal partnership.”

A journey of esteem

In his address to the Buddhist Supreme Patriarch, the Pope confirmed their meeting was taking place “as part of the journey of esteem and mutual recognition initiated by our predecessors.” Recalling the visit of the seventeenth Supreme Patriarch to Pope Paul VI in the Vatican nearly 50 years ago, Pope Francis said he wanted to “follow in their footsteps in order to increase respect but also friendship between our communities.”
 

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Pope Francis' trip to Thailand and Japan -- November 19-26, 2019

Video, with English commentary, at the link

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2019-11/pope-hospital-visit-jesus-close-to-us-in-our-frailty-and-in-our.html
Pope hospital visit: Jesus close to us in our frailty and in our wounds
21 November 2019, 06:26

Pope Francis visits the patients and staff of the St. Louis Hospital in Bangkok, which this year is celebrating the 120th anniversary of its foundation.
By Lydia O'Kane

The St Louis Hospital in Bangkok was founded in 1898 by the Apostolic Victor of Siam, Archbishop Louis Vey. Its mission is based on the motto “Where love is, there God is”. Today the hospital is run by a team of doctors, nurses and researchers with the help of state of the art medical equipment.

Addressing around 700 staff in the hospital’s auditorium on Thursday, Pope Francis said it was a blessing for him “to witness at first hand this valuable service that the Church offers to the Thai people, especially to those most in need.”

Ubi caritas, Deus ibi est

Making reference to the hospital’s motto, the Pope said that “it is precisely in the exercise of charity that we Christians are called not only to demonstrate that we are missionary disciples, but also to test our own fidelity, and that of our institutions, to that discipleship.”
 

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Pope Francis' trip to Thailand and Japan -- November 19-26, 2019

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2019-11/pope-thailand-japan-apostolic-journey-full-texts.html
Pope Francis' 32nd Apostolic Journey: Full texts and more
21 November 2019, 09:18

The entire programme and full texts of Pope Francis' 32nd Apostolic Journey to Thailand and Japan.

By clicking on each element listed below, you will be able to find all the information and full texts associated with Pope Francis' 32 Apostolic Journey to Thailand and Japan. This list will be updated as soon as definitive texts are made available.
 

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Pope Francis' trip to Thailand and Japan -- November 19-26, 2019

https://zenit.org/articles/thailand-meeting-with-sister-ana-rosa-pope-francis-cousin-and-translator/
Thailand: Meeting with Sister Ana Rosa, Pope Francis’ Cousin and Translator
November 21, 2019 15:18Marina Droujinina

What the Thailanders appreciate in Pope Francis is “his closeness to the people, his simplicity, his coherence . . . Because what he says, what he teaches he lives daily,” said Sister Ana Rosa Sivori, Salesian of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, a missionary in Thailand and a cousin and translator of the Pope during his trip. What can be seen is that “he has a very simple way of life, very austere, and people here appreciate that very much. They say he seems to be one of them; he mixes with people; he doesn’t hold himself apart as if the whole world is inferior to him. It’s the Buddhists who say this” about him, explained the Pope’s cousin.

Sister Ana Rosa, 77, who has lived for over 50 years in Thailand, answered questions of the correspondent of “Vatican News” on November 19, 2019. She works at Saint Mary’s girls’ school, one of five schools run by the Congregation of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians in the country. During the Pope’s visit, she is being his interpreter in certain meetings. She was the first person he greeted and embraced on his arrival in Bangkok this past Wednesday.
 

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Pope Francis' trip to Thailand and Japan -- November 19-26, 2019

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2019-11/pope-francis-thailand-king-vajiralongkorn.html
On his first full day in Bangkok, Pope Francis meets privately with King Maha Vajiralongkorn, the official protector of Buddhism in Thailand.
21 November 2019, 12:41
By Linda Bordoni

One event of his 32nd Apostolic Visit abroad that took place far from the public eye was Pope Francis’ private meeting with the King of Thailand.

On the morning of his first full day in Bangkok, a Chamberlain to the King received the Pope as he arrived on Thursday at Amphorn Royal Palace which is situated inside Bangkok’s Dusit Palace, and serves as the current primary residence of King Maha Vajiralongkorn.

Construction of the sumptuous Palace began in 1890 by the order of King Chulalongkon (Rama V) who wanted a grand residential hall inside the Dusit Gardens. It was initially named the 'Ivory Garden' and subsequently changed to the ‘Amphorn Sathan Residential Hall’ which translated from Thai, means “The royal seat in the sky”.

During the Pope’s private visit with King Vajiralongkorn and his Royal consort, Queen Suthida, a conversation took place, gifts were exchanged, but the press was excluded.
King Maha Vajiralongkorn was the crown prince when he greeted Pope St. John Paul II on the only previous papal visit to Thailand in 1984.

He was officially crowned earlier this year and is the official protector of Buddhism in Thailand.
 
https://zenit.org/articles/thailand-pope-visits-his-majesty-the-king-maha-vajiralongkorn-rama-x/
Thailand: Pope Visits His Majesty the King Maha Vajiralongkorn “Rama X”
Gift of Mosaic of St. Peter’s Square
November 21, 2019 18:12

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Pope Francis' trip to Thailand and Japan -- November 19-26, 2019

Video, with English commentary, at the link

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2019-11/pope-francis-apostolic-visit-thailand-mass-bangkok.html
Pope urges Thailand’s Catholics to be missionary disciples
21 November 2019, 11:34

Pope Francis celebrates his first public Mass on Thai soil, Thursday evening, at Bangkok’s National Stadium. Reflecting on the Gospel of the memorial of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, he speaks about what missionary discipleship consists in.
By Robin Gomes

Pope Francis is encouraging Thai Catholics to be the missionary disciples of Jesus, in the footsteps of the first missionaries to their land. He said it will help them to encounter, discover and recognize with joy the faces of all those mothers and fathers, brothers and sisters, whom the Lord wants to invite to His table.

He delivered a homily in his native Spanish, taking cue from the day’s Gospel of Matthew where Jesus, pointing to his disciples, says, “Whoever does the will of my heavenly Father is my brother, and sister, and mother.”
 
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2019-11/pope-francis-apostolic-visit-thailand-mass-bangkok-photogallery.html
Pope’s first Mass in Thailand - photo gallery
21 November 2019, 11:58

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Pope Francis' trip to Thailand and Japan -- November 19-26, 2019

https://cruxnow.com/vatican/2019/10/vatican-publishes-updated-schedule-for-papal-trip-to-thailand-japan/
Vatican publishes updated schedule for papal trip to Thailand, Japan
Catholic News Service  Oct 28, 2019
 
Here is the updated schedule released by the Vatican Oct. 28, which does not include times for some meetings in Japan. Times listed are local, with Eastern Time in parentheses:
 
Friday, Nov. 22 (Bangkok)

- 10 a.m. (10 p.m. Nov. 21) Meeting with priests, religious, seminarians and catechists at St. Peter’s parish. Speech by pope.
- 11 a.m. (11 p.m. Nov. 21) Meeting with the bishops of Thailand and with members of the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences at the Shrine of Blessed Nicholas Bunkerd Kitbamrung. Speech by pope.
- 11:50 a.m. (11:50 p.m. Nov. 21) Private meeting with members of the Society of Jesus in a room next to the shrine.

- Lunch in the apostolic nunciature.

- 3:20 p.m. (3:20 a.m.) Meeting with Christian leaders and the leaders of other religions at Chulalongkorn University. Speech by pope.
- 5 p.m. (5 a.m.) Mass with young people in Assumption Cathedral.
 

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Pope Francis' trip to Thailand and Japan -- November 19-26, 2019

Video of the two events, with English commentary, at the link

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2019-11/pope-in-thailand-what-it-means-to-be-a-christian.html
Pope in Thailand: What it means to be a Christian
22 November 2019, 05:41

Pope Francis meets with priests, religious, consecrated men and women, seminarians and catechists in Bangkok, and shares guidelines on how to achieve apostolic fruitfulness, and on what it means to be a Christian.
By Vatican News

The Pope began by expressing his gratitude “for all those consecrated persons who, by the silent martyrdom of fidelity and daily commitment, have borne great fruit.” He also gave thanks “for all those catechists and elderly consecrated men and women who drew us into the love and friendship of Jesus Christ.” 
 

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2019-11/pope-to-bishops-in-thailand-be-servants-not-managers.html
Pope to Bishops in Thailand: Holy Spirit is the protagonist of mission
22 November 2019, 06:00

Pope Francis addresses the Bishops of Thailand and of the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences (FABC) at the Shrine of Blessed Nicholas Bunkerd Kitbamrung in Bangkok.
By Vatican News

The Pope began his discourse to the Bishops by placing their meeting under the “watchful gaze” of Blessed Nicholas Bunkerd, “so that his example may inspire us with a great zeal for evangelization in all the local Churches of Asia.”
 

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Pope Francis' trip to Thailand and Japan -- November 19-26, 2019

Video, with English commentary, at the link

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2019-11/pope-in-thailand-what-it-means-to-be-a-christian.html
Pope in Thailand: What it means to be a Christian
22 November 2019, 05:41

Pope Francis meets with priests, religious, consecrated men and women, seminarians and catechists in Bangkok, and shares guidelines on how to achieve apostolic fruitfulness, and on what it means to be a Christian.
By Vatican News

The Pope began by expressing his gratitude “for all those consecrated persons who, by the silent martyrdom of fidelity and daily commitment, have borne great fruit.” He also gave thanks “for all those catechists and elderly consecrated men and women who drew us into the love and friendship of Jesus Christ.”
 

[grace-land]

Pope Francis' trip to Thailand and Japan -- November 19-26, 2019

Video, with English commentary, at the link

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2019-11/pope-francis-apostolic-journey-thailand-mass-youth.html
Pope to youth in Thailand: rooted in faith through friendship with Jesus
22 November 2019, 10:15

Pope Francis celebrates Mass for young people Friday evening in Bangkok’s Cathedral. A strong faith based on a deep friendship with Jesus, he says, will see them through life’s difficulties, as their elders testify.
By Robin Gomes

Pope Francis is asking the young people of Thailand to be deeply rooted and anchored in their faith by cultivating a friendship with Jesus, saying it will provide them with the oil needed to light up the path of their life and those of others around them.
 

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Pope Francis' trip to Thailand and Japan -- November 19-26, 2019

https://zenit.org/articles/exclusive-interview-archbishop-kikuchi-of-tokyo-appeals-for-japanese-society-to-recognize-that-life-from-conception-to-death-is-invaluable-from-papal-flight/

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Archbishop Kikuchi of Tokyo Appeals for Japanese Society to Recognize that Life from Conception to Death Is Invaluable (from Papal Flight)
Speaks to ZENIT About Realities in Japan
November 22, 2019 14:43  Deborah Castellano Lubov

Archbishop Tarcisius Isao Kikuchi, Archbishop of Tokyo, warns some of his population risks extinction due to cultural standards and has made a strong appeal to recognize protecting life from conception to natural death.

In an exclusive interview with Zenit whose Senior Vatican Correspondent, Deborah Castellano Lubov, is on the Papal Flight for Pope Francis’ Apostolic Trip to Japan and Thailand, Nov. 19-26, the Japanese Archbishop expressed this concern. The Asian prelate is following the trip and will be present with Pope Francis at all his major events during the ‘Japan stretch’ of Francis’ eight-day, two-nation Asian tour.

In the interview, Zenit has had the opportunity to learn all about the Pope’s visit, the realities of Christians in Japan and for society at large, and some of the themes likely to be most important in the days ahead.  Here is our exclusive interview:
 

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Pope Francis' trip to Thailand and Japan -- November 19-26, 2019

https://cruxnow.com/vatican/2019/10/vatican-publishes-updated-schedule-for-papal-trip-to-thailand-japan/
Vatican publishes updated schedule for papal trip to Thailand, Japan
Catholic News Service  Oct 28, 2019
 
Here is the updated schedule released by the Vatican Oct. 28, which does not include times for some meetings in Japan. Times listed are local, with Eastern Time in parentheses:
 
Saturday, Nov. 23 (Bangkok, Tokyo)

- 9:15 a.m. (9:15 p.m. Nov. 22) Farewell ceremony at Bangkok’s Military Air Terminal 2.
- 9:30 a.m. (9:30 p.m. Nov. 22). Departure for Tokyo.
- 5:40 p.m. (3:40 a.m.) Arrival at Tokyo’s Haneda Airport and welcoming ceremony.
- 6:30 p.m. (4:30 a.m.) Meeting with the bishops of Japan at the apostolic nunciature. Speech by pope.
 

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Pope Francis' trip to Thailand and Japan -- November 19-26, 2019

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2019-11/pope-francis-departs-thailand-headed-to-japan.html
Pope concludes visit to Thailand, departs for Japan
23 November 2019, 03:40

Pope Francis concludes the first leg of his 32nd Apostolic Journey, boarding the papal plane in Bangkok and departing for Japan.
By Devin Watkins

Wrapping up his visit to Thailand, the Pope left Thai soil at around 10 AM local time.

He begins his Apostolic Journey to Japan following a 6-hour flight to Tokyo’s Haneda Airport.

First leg

While in Thailand, Pope Francis invited the Southeast Asian nation’s 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

Pope 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’s Bishops on Saturday evening.
 

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Pope Francis' trip to Thailand and Japan -- November 19-26, 2019

Video at the link

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2019-11/pope-francis-video-apostolic-journey-thailand-japan.html
Pope leaves Thailand for Japan
23 November 2019, 16:11

Pope Francis on Saturday began the 2nd leg of the 32nd Apostolic Journey, when he left Bangkok, Thailand, and flew to Japan. In this video, we briefly bring you glimpses of the two sides of his trip.

https://zenit.org/articles/pope-francis-enjoys-warm-send-off-from-thailand/
Pope Francis Enjoys Warm Send-Off from Thailand
Thanks ‘Beloved People’ for Hospitality During His Visit
November 23, 2019 16:51  Anne Kurian

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Pope Francis' trip to Thailand and Japan -- November 19-26, 2019

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2019-11/pope-francis-arrives-in-japan-childhood-dream.html
Pope arrives in Japan, fulfilling decades-old missionary dream
23 November 2019, 10:01

Pope Francis arrives at Tokyo's Haneda airport at the start of his Apostolic Journey to Japan, following the path Pope St John Paul II trod 38 years ago.
By Devin Watkins – Tokyo, Japan

It’s a well-known fact that Pope Francis has harbored an ardent desire to become a missionary to Japan ever since he was a young man.

“Over time, I felt the desire to go as a missionary to Japan, where the Jesuits have always carried out a very important work,” he was quoted as saying in the book “El Jesuita”, published in 2010.

Fr Jorge Bergoglio requested an assignment to the East Asian nation as a young Jesuit in Argentina.

Today he made that dream became a reality.

Missionary to Japan

Pope Francis arrived at Tokyo’s Haneda Airport on Saturday evening, becoming the second Pope to visit Japan.

His predecessor, Pope St John Paul II, came here in 1981, and left a lasting mark on the local Catholic Church.

That visit helped change the way Japanese people viewed the Church’s role in society. The Polish Pope visited Hiroshima, Nagasaki, and both Tokyo Dome and Sophia University during his historic visit.

Mirror image of JPII’s visit
 
https://zenit.org/articles/pope-francis-arrives-in-japan/
Pope Francis Arrives in Japan
November 23, 2019 16:06  Rosa Die Alcolea

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Pope Francis' trip to Thailand and Japan -- November 19-26, 2019

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2019-11/pope-francis-apostolic-visit-japan-bishops-message.html
Pope to Japanese bishops: witness to the Gospel and protect life
23 November 2019, 10:55

In his first meeting in Japan, Pope Francis encourages Japan’s tiny Catholic community to witness daily to the Lord by protecting life and proclaiming the Gospel of compassion and mercy.
By Robin Gomes

Hardly an hour after his arrival in Tokyo from Bangkok, Thailand, on the second leg of his 2-nation 32nd Apostolic Journey, Pope Francis met the bishops of Japan, Saturday evening, at the Apostolic Nunciature in the capital.

Recalling that the motto of his Japan visit is “Protect All Life”, he suggested ways of how to witness to the faith and serve life.
 
https://cruxnow.com/pope-in-thailand-and-japan/2019/11/pope-calls-himself-a-missionary-pilgrim-in-japan/
Pope calls himself a ‘missionary pilgrim’ in Japan
Inés San Martín  Nov 23, 2019