Sign in to listen to groundbreaking journalism. This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article. BANGKOK, Thailand β Pope Francis led an impassioned mass for tens of thousands of emotional worshippers at a packed Bangkok stadium Thursday, urging respect for prostitutes and trafficking victims in a part of the world where sex work is rampant.
The remarks came at the end of a whirlwind day of meetings for Pope Francis, who is on his first trip to Buddhist-majority Thailand where he is carrying a message of religious harmony and peace. An estimated 60, worshippers gathered for the mass, some pouring into a nearby stadium to watch the hymn-filled service on large screens. They are our mothers, our brothers and sisters. The remarks were delivered in a region infamous for a thriving sex trade and unchecked human trafficking.
Prostitution is illegal in tourist hotspot Thailand, home to at least , sex workers, some four percent of whom are believed to be trafficked, according to official estimates. Many women are drawn to the work because they can earn up to 10 times more than the minimum wage, and critics say some corrupt Thai authorities turn a blind eye to the thriving trade.
Thailand has not had a visit from a pontiff since John Paul II in , and the small but spirited Catholic community was thrilled ahead of the mass. For Pimrapat Panyawattanatikul, the service was her second shot at seeing a pope after John Paul II touched her head some 35 years ago. The pair sat before a brilliant gold Buddha statue inside the ornate temple, built years ago by the former Thai King β the supreme patriarch barefoot and draped in orange robes as they spoke.
On Friday the pontiff will host another mass, this one for young people, and meet with religious leaders in the city. The pope, who years ago had hoped to be a missionary in Japan, has made strong calls for a ban on nuclear weapons. Please abide by Rappler's commenting guidelines. There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation.
