Pope Francis will meet leaders of Myanmar’s military and its civilian government, as well as Buddhist monks, during his upcoming visit to Myanmar and Bangladesh, which are both reeling from the Rohingya refugee crisis.
The Pope will visit the two countries between November 26 and December 2, according to the schedule was released by the Vatican yesterday. He will be the first pope to visit Myanmar.
His trip will begin in Yangon, where he is expected to arrive on November 27. He will rest here for a day before traveling to Naypyidaw on the 28th to hold talks with President Htin Kyaw and State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi.
Later that day, he will give the main speech of his trip at a public meeting with politicians, diplomats, and military leaders.
On November 29, Pope Francis will address the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee – Myanmar’s highest Buddhist authority, which oversees the country’s Buddhist clergy with the backing of the government.
The Pope’s visit comes as Myanmar faces international condemnation over its displacement of over 500,000 Rohingya civilians from Rakhine State since August, its blocking of humanitarian aid to Rohingya communities, and its refusal to allow a UN fact-finding mission to investigate alleged human rights crimes.
The pope has been a vocal supporter of the small Muslim minority. In February, he said the Rohingya were being “tortured and killed” for their faith and described them as “good and peaceful people” who “have suffered for years.”
In May, State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi visited the Vatican to discuss the establishment of full diplomatic relations with Myanmar. The pope gave her a copy of his speech titled “Non-violence: a style of politics for peace,” which some saw as a reminder to Aung San Suu Kyi to embrace minorities that are subjected to injustice and violence.
The establishment of full diplomatic relations is expected to give the pope more diplomatic influence in Myanmar.
There are an estimated 700,000 Catholics in Myanmar, out of a total population of 51.4 million. They are represented in the country by Cardinal Charles Maung Bo, who has frequently defended Myanmar’s leaders from criticism over their role in the displacement of the Rohingya.
