Papal mass to attract 70k people

Tens of thousands of Catholics are expected to attend the Holy Mass to be celebrated by Pope Francis at the National Stadium on Nov 21.

Up to 70,000 Catholics from across Thailand and neighbouring countries have so far registered to attend the Mass, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Thailand (CBCT) said yesterday.

“A large number of people, both Thais and foreigners, have registered their intention to join [the Pope’s two Masses]. However, Supachalasai Stadium and Thep Hatsadin Stadium each have a total capacity of only 50,000 people, so there will be quotas for each church [that applies],” CBCT spokesman Chainarong Monthienvichienchai said at a press conference.

Mr Chainarong said the pontiff would travel around the National Stadium in the Popemobile. Those unable to gain entry to the stadium can watch a live broadcast on a big screen outside.

The CBCT yesterday released the final schedule for the Pope’s visit to Thailand from Nov 20-23.

Upon his arrival on Nov 20, the pontiff will be welcomed by an official delegation at Bangkok’s Military Air Terminal 2 at 12.30pm, before heading to his temporary residence at the Apostolic Nunciature.

The second day of his visit will begin at 9am with another official welcome ceremony at Government House. There, he will meet Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha, civil society representatives, and the diplomatic corps before giving his first speech in Spanish.

At 10am, the pope will visit the Supreme Patriarch at Wat Ratchabophit. This will be followed by a trip to St Louis Hospital to meet its medical staff and patients.

At 4.55pm, he will visit His Majesty the King at the Ambara Villa in Dusit Palace. At 6pm, the pontiff will celebrate Holy Mass in the National Stadium.

The third day of the visit will begin at 10am, when the pope will travel to Nakhon Pathom to meet clergy, worshippers, seminarians and catechists in the parish of St Peter’s church. Then comes a meeting with the bishops of Thailand and the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences.

Next, the pope will have a private meeting with members of the Society of Jesus, before returning to Bangkok for lunch at the Apostolic Nunciature.

In the afternoon, he will meet leaders of other Christian denominations and religions at Chulalongkorn University, before heading to the Cathedral of the Assumption for the second Mass.