Pope Francis who leads the 1(point)28 billion Catholics around the world is arriving in Dhaka this afternoon on a 3-day visit on the second leg of his Myanmar-Bangladesh tour which began on November 28th. This is the second visit of a Pope, the head of the Vatican State, to Bangladesh, the earlier Pope John Paul VI having visited the country in 1986. <br/><br/>Archbishop of Dhaka Patrick D'Rosario who was appointed the first ever Cardinal of Bangladesh by Pope Francis last year said the visit is a celebration of Bangladesh's tradition of harmonious living among communities of different religions and ethnicities. <br/><br/>During his visit the Pontif will meet President Abdul Hamid, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, high officials, diplomatic corps, civil society, Catholic and inter-religious leaders. Catholic Church officials said the Pope Francis's visit is also an appreciation of the contribution of the Catholic Church to the socio-economic development of the country specially in the spheres of education and health. <br/><br/>For a Pope who is intensely interested in the welfare of the marginalised and those in the periphery of society, the visit comes amidst the raging Rohingya issue which has forced over 6 lakh refugees into Bangladesh from Myanmar. <br/><br/>His message in Myanmar has been that justice and human rights are the foundation of peace and harmony. For the tiny catholic population in Bangladesh, the visit is an exceptional one and huge preparations have been made to make it joyful, safe and peaceful.

Pope Francis who leads the 1.28 billion Catholics around the world is arriving in Dhaka this afternoon on a 3-day visit on the second leg of his Myanmar-Bangladesh tour which began on November 28th. This is the second visit of a Pope, the head of the Vatican State, to Bangladesh, the earlier Pope John Paul VI having visited the country in 1986. <br/><br/>Archbishop of Dhaka Patrick D'Rosario who was appointed the first ever Cardinal of Bangladesh by Pope Francis last year said the visit is a celebration of Bangladesh's tradition of harmonious living among communities of different religions and ethnicities. <br/><br/>During his visit the Pontif will meet President Abdul Hamid, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, high officials, diplomatic corps, civil society, Catholic and inter-religious leaders. Catholic Church officials said the Pope Francis's visit is also an appreciation of the contribution of the Catholic Church to the socio-economic development of the country specially in the spheres of education and health. <br/><br/>For a Pope who is intensely interested in the welfare of the marginalised and those in the periphery of society, the visit comes amidst the raging Rohingya issue which has forced over 6 lakh refugees into Bangladesh from Myanmar. <br/><br/>His message in Myanmar has been that justice and human rights are the foundation of peace and harmony. For the tiny catholic population in Bangladesh, the visit is an exceptional one and huge preparations have been made to make it joyful, safe and peaceful.

Pope Francis who leads the 1.28 billion Catholics around the world is arriving in Dhaka this afternoon on a 3-day visit on the second leg of his Myanmar-Bangladesh tour which began on November 28th. This is the second visit of a Pope, the head of the Vatican State, to Bangladesh, the earlier Pope John Paul VI having visited the country in 1986. <br/><br/>Archbishop of Dhaka Patrick D'Rosario who was appointed the first ever Cardinal of Bangladesh by Pope Francis last year said the visit is a celebration of Bangladesh's tradition of harmonious living among communities of different religions and ethnicities. <br/><br/>During his visit the Pontif will meet President Abdul Hamid, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, high officials, diplomatic corps, civil society, Catholic and inter-religious leaders. Catholic Church officials said the Pope Francis's visit is also an appreciation of the contribution of the Catholic Church to the socio-economic development of the country specially in the spheres of education and health. <br/><br/>For a Pope who is intensely interested in the welfare of the marginalised and those in the periphery of society, the visit comes amidst the raging Rohingya issue which has forced over 6 lakh refugees into Bangladesh from Myanmar. <br/><br/>His message in Myanmar has been that justice and human rights are the foundation of peace and harmony. For the tiny catholic population in Bangladesh, the visit is an exceptional one and huge preparations have been made to make it joyful, safe and peaceful.