The visit of Pope Francis shows the love and interest upon the people of God in Asia. It is also a cause of remembering the first visit of Roman Pontiff, Pope Saint John Paul the second in the year of 1984.
The visit of Pope Francis is expected promote morality of the people especially to the young people of Asia. It will highlight the role of the Church in Asia, especially in the two Nations he visits, Thailand and Japan.
Although small, the Church in Asia plays its important roles in the societies. The visit of the Pontiff will make the people to understand that they are to live for all, especially for their own country men and women. Asian countries are rich with different religions and the visit of Pope Francis will really highlight and strengthen the interreligious dialogue.
The Asians Countries are really in need of peace. Due to the conflicts and instabilities in the regions people of the continent are suffering physically and spiritually and are always yearning for peaceful coexistence. The visit of Pope Francis, who is always thinking of the better future of the poor, could be the cause of the recovery of the poor from their spiritual and physical sufferings.
Natural resources and the need of safeguarding the nature and creation can be also the highlight in the speech of His Holiness. Due to the greediness of the selfish powerful people of the regions, countless natural and manmade disasters are threatening life of the people and the creation in the past as well as at presence. The visit of Pope Francis could be the cause of healing the suffering of the natural resources to an extent.
It will also highlight the important role of the Church in Asia in regard to the education of the young people and the future generation. The Church has done much in the past. Due to different suppressions conflicts in the region, the role of the Church became dim in decades ago and the Church will regain her strength with the visit of Pope Francis to re-animate herself to live and act for all the people.
The efforts of the Missionaries in the past, especially from the beginning of the Church in the two countries will be remembered and will be also the cause to animate the missionary zeal of the present Church men and women since Pope Francis is following after the example of St. Paul to encourage, to urge, to strengthen and to bring the mercy and compassion to the world.
All the faithful and people of good will are encouraged to pray for the success of the apostolic journey of Pope Francis.
Fr. Hubert Saw
