Thailand: We are overwhelmed by the visit of Pope Francis + video

Source: ICN/Vatican News

Tens of thousands of Catholics will be attending Mass celebrated by Pope Francis at Bangkok's National Stadium tomorrow, 21 November.

More than 70,000 Catholics from across Thailand and neighbouring countries have registered to attend and tickets are being rationed. Those unable to gain entry to the stadium will be able to watch a live broadcast on screens outside and the Mass will be televised.

Apichart Intravisit, President of the Catholic Social Communications committee of Thailand, said that not only Thai Catholics, but the whole nation, is overwhelmed by the visit of Pope Francis to their country. The Thai people, he says recognize the Pope as a spiritual leader, since most of them are either educated in Catholic schools or have experienced the care offered by Church-run hospitals and other institutions.

Among those coming to Bangkok for this historic event is a small group from the Fr Ray Foundation in Pattaya, about 150 k south of the capital. Derek Franklin who works at the Centre, told ICN that Father Peter Pattarapong, deputy director, one staff member and a young teenage boy are setting out for Bangkok soon.

Started by the late Redemptorist priest Fr Ray Brennan, in the 1970s, the Foundation runs many projects for children in need, including residential homes, a nursery, special schools for deaf, blind and disabled pupils and vocational training. Many students from the Foundation have gone on to university and become professionals themselves.

Watch a short film about the Fr Ray Foundation here: https://youtu.be/0FGS7sGZXOY