Pope Francis starts his first Myanmar visit

NewsBharati    27-Nov-2017
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Nya Pyi Taw, November 27: For first time ever, a Pop Francis of Vatican is visiting Myanmar. Pope’s visit comes at a time when the country is a mine of political crisis due to Rohingya issue. He landed in Myanmar on Monday. Though large numbers of riot police were mobilized in Yangon but there were no signs of any protests. Thousands of Catholics gathered to welcome him.

In his first visit to Myanmar he has to maintain balance as anytime situation can turn against him. As Myanmar dies not even accept the term Rohingya, the pope has been advised by the Roman Catholic Church not to say their name. Whereas the grief of the Muslim minority needs to be addressed by him, he has to do it in a way so nobody gets hurt.

“We have asked him at least to refrain from using the word ‘Rohingya’ because this word is very much contested and not acceptable by the military, nor the government, nor the people in Myanmar,” Cardinal Charles Maung Bo, archbishop of Yangon said.

Previously in May, Myanmar’s de-facto leader Suu Kyi visited Myanmar. Pope is also scheduled to meet the country’s de facto leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, and commander-in-chief, Min Aung Hlaing. On Thursday he will visit Bangladesh and the Rohingya refugee camps there.