Minority Watch, Dhaka— Pope Francis led a Holy Mass at Suhrawardy Udyan in Dhaka today, marking the second day of his historic visit to Bangladesh.
The Mass, attended by over 80,000 people from across the country, began at 10:00 a.m. and continued until 12:30 p.m.
Faithful attendees, many traveling long distances to witness the event, joined the pontiff in prayer, seeking peace for Bangladesh and the broader world.
In his homily, Pope Francis expressed gratitude for their dedication, saying, “I know that many of you came from afar, for a trip for more than two days. Thank you for your generosity. This indicates the love you have for the Church.”
A significant highlight of the ceremony was the ordination of 16 priests, underscoring the event’s spiritual importance for the Catholic community in Bangladesh.
Meetings with Leaders and Interfaith Dialogue
Later in the afternoon, the pope is set to meet with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at 3:30 p.m. Following this, he will participate in two significant gatherings at Dhaka’s Ramna Cathedral.
One meeting will involve Catholic bishops and priests, while the other will bring together 5,500 leaders and scholars representing various religions.
As part of an inter-religious gathering, Pope Francis is also expected to meet 18 Rohingya refugees who fled violence in Myanmar.
The meeting will highlight the plight of the persecuted Muslim minority, who have sought shelter in Bangladesh amidst allegations of ethnic cleansing by Myanmar’s military, accusations echoed by both the United States and the United Nations.
Advocacy for Rohingya Refugees
The pope arrived in Dhaka on Thursday following his visit to Myanmar, where he navigated a delicate diplomatic situation.
While addressing the Rohingya crisis during his speech upon arrival in Bangladesh, Pope Francis called for “decisive” international action to address the humanitarian emergency.
Since late August, more than 620,000 Rohingya refugees have crossed into Bangladesh, fleeing violence in Myanmar’s Rakhine state.
Despite international pressure to directly confront Myanmar’s government during his visit there, Pope Francis refrained from using the term “Rohingya,” opting instead to refer to the refugees as coming from Rakhine state.
His restraint was seen as an effort to avoid exacerbating tensions with Myanmar’s Buddhist majority, which could put the nation’s Catholic minority at risk.
A Historic Visit
This trip marks the first papal visit to Bangladesh in 31 years. Known for his humble and compassionate leadership, the 80-year-old Argentine pontiff has consistently championed the poor and marginalized.
His emphasis on simplicity and outreach has earned him widespread respect among Catholics and non-Catholics alike. Bangladesh’s warm reception of Pope Francis reflects the country’s role as a beacon of hope for the Rohingya and its commitment to interfaith harmony.
As the pope continues his visit, his message of peace, solidarity, and compassion resonates deeply with people from all walks of life.
