Pope Francis Visits Mother Teresa's Home, Meets Priests and Religious, Visits Historic Church and Cemetery, and Talks to Youths Before Departure from Dhaka

Pope Francis' Third and Final Day in Bangladesh

Pope Francis visits historic Portuguese-built 17th century-church and cemetery at Tejgaon, Dhaka (Dec. 2, 2017)

Photo courtesy: Reuters

Pope Francis today (December 2) made a private visit to the Mother Teresa's Home, run by her Missionaries of Charity Sisters at Tejgaon and met and spoke with the Sisters and the orphans, and old and sick people who receive their care. He then met a few hundred priests, Brothers, Sisters, consecrated men and women, seminarians and novices at the nearby Holy Rosary Church. He also visited the adjacent Portuguese-built historic old church and cemetery. Finally, he went to Notre Dame College in Motijheel area of Dhaka and talked with the youth belonging to different religions before leaving for the Dhaka International Airport from where he flew to Rome in a Biman Bangladesh Airlines plane. It is noteworthy that he came to Bangladesh on November 30 morning from Myanmar on a Biman Bangladesh Airlines plane, too.  

For more on Pope's third and final day in Bangladesh, please click on the following: 

• Pope Francis visited a home founded by Mother Teresa for orphans and met with priests and Religious at Tejgaon (Dec. 2, 2017) [Video]
• Pope Francis gets laughs in Bangladesh after walking diplomatic tightrope (Dec. 2, 2017)
• Pope to Religious, not to gossip, embrace joy (Dec. 2, 2017)
• Meeting of Pope Francis with Priests and Religious of Bangladesh [video] (Dec. 2, 2017)
• Gossip is a kind of terrorism, says Pope Francis (Dec. 2, 2017)
• Pope: the eyes of religious who serve with joy are'indescribable' (Dec. 2, 2017)
• Meeting of Pope Francis with Priests and Religious of Bangladesh (Dec. 2, 2017) [Video]
• Pope meets with Priests and Religious in Bangladesh [Full Text] (Dec. 2, 2017)
• Full text of Pope Francis' Improvised Comments to Priests, Religious in Dhaka (Dec 2, 2017)
• Pope tells young people of Bangladesh to 'seek God's wisdom'(Dec. 2, 2017)
• Pope Francis [Meets With the Youth] at Notre Dame College, Dhaka (Dec. 2, 2017) [Video]
• Pope concludes apostolic visit to Myanmar, Bangladesh (Dec. 2, 2017)
• Pope Francis leaves Dhaka after historic three-day tour (Dec. 2, 2017)
• Full text of Pope Francis' in-flight press conference from Bangladesh (Dec. 2, 2017)

(Updated on Dec. 4, 2017)

(To go to Pope Francis's First Day in Bangladesh, click here)

Pope Francis Ordains Priests And Meets With Bishops, Inter-religious Leaders and Rohingya Refugees in Dhaka

Pope Francis's Second Day in Bangladesh

Pope Francis ordains a deacon to Catholic priesthood at the solemn Mass at Suhrawardy Uddyan, Dhaka (Dec. 1, 2017)

Photo courtesy: CTV photo via BTV

More than 80,000 Catholics from all over Bangladesh attend the papal Mass at Suhrawardy Uddyan, Dhaka (Dec. 1, 2017)

Photo courtesy: Reuters

Pope meets with Catholic Bishops of Bangladesh at the Archbishop's House, Ramna, Dhaka (Dec. 1, 2017)

Photo courtesy: Osservatore Romano

More than 80,000 Catholics from around Bangladesh, a number of government officials, members of foreign diplomatic corps, inter-religious leaders, and ecumenical Church leaders attended Pope Francis's solemn concelebrated Mass at Suhrawarthy Uddyan park in Dhaka today, reports various news sources. 

In his homily, Pope Francis expressed his gratitude to all and said: "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," reports the Daily Star. 

He also encouraged and inspired 16 deacons by saying: "you are to be raised to the Order of the Priesthood.  For your part, you will exercise the sacred duty of teaching in the name of Christ the Teacher.  Impart to everyone the word of God which you have received with joy.  Meditating on the law of the Lord, see that you believe what you read, that you teach what you believe, and that you practice what you teach."

Meeting Bangladesh's Catholic bishops at the Archbishop's House at Ramna, he appreciated the pastoral plan of the bishops and encouraged them to continue their work earnestly. He laid emphasis on the importance of the laity in the Church, saying: "At the same time, I would ask you to show ever greater pastoral closeness to the lay faithful.  There is a need to promote their effective participation in the life of your particular Churches, not least through the canonical structures that provide for their voices to be heard and their experiences acknowledged.  Recognize and value the charisms of lay men and women, and encourage them to put their gifts at the service of the Church and of society as a whole.  I think here of the many dedicated catechists in this country, whose apostolate is essential for the growth of the faith and for the Christian formation of the next generation.  They are true missionaries and leaders of prayer, especially in the more remote areas.  Be concerned for their spiritual needs and for their continuing education in the faith."

In the inter-religious peace gathering at the same compound, Pope Francis welcomed all and encouraged them to work for solidarity, harmony, and peace. He also said: "Openness of heart is likewise a path that leads to the pursuit of goodness, justice and solidarity.... A spirit of openness, acceptance and cooperation between believers does not simply contribute to a culture of harmony and peace; it is its beating heart."

Meeting with some Myanmar Rohingya refugees in the gathering, he said: "The presence of God today is also called Rohingya... In the name of all of those who have persecuted you, hurt you, I ask forgiveness. I appeal to your large hearts to give us the forgiveness that we are asking."

Pope Francis rides on a cycle rickshaw at the Archbishop's House at Ramna, Dhaka (Dec. 1, 2017)

Photo courtesy: AP

Pope Francis also rode on a cycle rickshaw in the Archbishop's House compound in Dhaka. He is the second Pope to do so. The first pope to ride on a rickshaw was Pope John Paul II in his 1986 visit to Bangladesh. The Guinness Book of World Records should consider to mention Pope John Paul II's name as the first rickshaw-riding pope in the world in more than 2,000-year history of the Catholic Church. 

For more, click on the following:

• Pope Francis celebrates Holy Mass at Suhrawardy Udyan (Dec. 1, 2o17)
• Pope Francis celebrates open-air Mass at Suhrawardy Udyan (Dec. 1, 2017)
• Pope Francis ordains priests at Mass in Bangladesh (Dec. 1, 2017)
• Pope Francis ordains 16 priests in Bangladesh (Dec. 1, 2017)
• Bangladesh: Pope Francis Ordains 16 to Priesthood (Dec. 1, 2017)
• Pope Francis celebrates Mass in Dhaka, Bangladesh [Full Text of His Homily] (Dec. 1, 2017)
• Pictures: Pope Francis ordains 16 men to the priesthood in Bangladesh (Dec. 1, 2017)
• Holy Mass with Pope Francis, for Priestly Ordinations from Dhaka, Bangladesh (Dec. 1, 2017) [Youtube Video]
• Bangladesh: Words of Thanks from Cardinal Patrick D'Rozario, Archbishop of Dhaka (Dec. 1, 2017) 
• Sheikh Hasina meets Pope Francis in Dhaka (Dec. 1, 2017)
• Pope Tells Bangladesh Bishops to make laity a priority, especially youth (Dec. 1, 2017)
• Pope Francis tells bishops to be close to the laity (Dec. 1, 2017)
• Bangladesh: Pope Urges Option for the Poor (Dec. 1, 2017)
• Pope Francis speaks to Bangladesh's bishops [Full Text] (Dec. 1, 2017)
• Pope Meets 16 'Rohingya' Refugees (Twelve Men, Four Women, and Two Children) (Dec. 1, 2017)
• Pope Francis uses term Rohingya in Bangladesh meeting (Dec. 1, 2017)
• Pope Francis: 'The presence of God today is also called Rohingya' (Dec. 1, 2017)
• Pope Francis prays Alongside Rohingya Muslim Refugees During Trip to Bangladesh (Dec. 1, 2017)
• Bangladesh: Interreligious and Ecumenical Meeting for Peace (Dec. 1, 2017) [Video]
• Pope Francis addresses interreligious meeting for peace [in Dhaka] [Full Text] (Dec. 1, 2017)
• Pope Francis trades his popemobile for a rickshaw (Dec. 1, 2017)

(Updated on Dec. 4, 2017)

(Continued)

Pope Francis On Arrival Receives A Cordial Welcome in Bangladesh

Pope Francis' First Day in Bangladesh

Bangladesh President Abdul Hamid officially receives Pope Francis at the Dhaka Airport (Nov. 30, 2017)

Photo courtesy: Reuters

(L-R) Bangladesh and Vatican flags furl on a roadside in Dhaka (Nov. 30, 2017)   

Photo courtesy: AFP

On his arrival in Dhaka, Pope Francis, as head of the Vatican State, was given a red-carpet welcome, including a guard of honour, by Bangladesh President Abdul Hamid. Delegations of political and religious authorities, and a groups of children, with their flowers, singing and dancing, were also there. 

Later, praising Bangladesh's efforts in helping the hapless Rohingya refugees within its borders, the Pope also took the opportunity to earnestly appeal to the international communities to extend their hands as much as possible. 

To know more on Pope's visit, please see the following:

• Pope Francis accorded red carpet reception (Nov. 30, 2017)
• Pope Francis accorded red carpet reception (Nov. 30, 2017)
• Pope Francis arrives in Dhaka, accorded rousing reception (Nov. 30,2017)
• Pope Francis in Dhaka (Nov. 30, 2017)
• Pope Francis arrives in Bangladesh (Nov. 30, 2017)
• Pope lands in Bangladesh with Rohingya crisis looming large (Nov. 30, 2017)
• Pope Francis lands in Bangladesh after contentious Myanmar visit (Nov. 30, 2017)
• Pope in Bangladesh: Francis arrives in Dhaka after  contentious Myanmar visit (Nov. 30, 2017)
• Pope speech to authorities and diplomatic corps in Dhaka [Full Text] (Nov. 30, 2017)
• Pope in Dhaka: World must assist Bangladesh in tackling refugee crisis (Nov. 30, 2017)
• The Latest: Pope demands world help resolve Rohingya crisis (Nov. 30, 2017)
• Pope demands 'decisive measures' to resolve Rohingya exodus (Nov. 30, 2017)
• Pope thanks Bangladesh on Rohingya refugees from Myanmar (Nov. 30, 2017)
• Bangladesh priest disappearance casts pall over Pope Francis visit (Nov. 30, 2017)
• In Bangladesh, Pope Francis will encounter 'natural and man-made' disasters (Nov. 29, 2017)
• Pope to meet 15 Rohingyas during his Bangladesh trip (Nov. 29, 2017)
• Pope Francis in Bangladesh (Official website of Bangladesh Catholic Church)

(Continued)

Before Pope's Visit, A Catholic Priest Goes Missing, Ransom Demanded

 Father Walter William Rozario 

Photo courtesy: www.dailystar.net/

Father Walter William Rozario, 40, an assistant priest of Borni Catholic Church of Natore District  goes missing in the middle of his hectic preparation for bringing his 300-member Catholic group to Dhaka for the visit of Pope Francis on November 30. His younger brother reported to the local police that the miscreants demanded Tk. 300,000 (US. $3,618) for his release.

Local police chief told AFP, "He has been missing since late Monday [Nov. 27]. His mobile [cellphone] has been switched off." Gervas Rozario, Bishop of Rajshahi Diocese, believe that the priest has been kidnapped and Catholics in the region were deeply worried. The police are engaged in a vigorous search for Fr. Rozario. 

Islamic militants in the recent past were active in the region kidnapping, shooting, and killing people of minority communities. Father Walter Rozario hails from Borni Catholic village, where a local Catholic grocer, Sunil Gomes was mercilessly hacked to death in June, 2016. 

For more on Father Walter William Rozario, please read the following:

• Assistant Catholic priest in Natore goes missing (Nov. 28, 2017)
• Ahead of pope's visit, a priest goes missing in Bangladesh (Nov. 29, 2017)
• Natore priest missing: Miscreants 'demand Tk. 3 lakh ransom' (Nov. 29, 2017)
• Catholic priest disappears in Bangladesh before Pope visit (Nov. 29, 2017)

News Update: Father Walter William Rozario Has Been Found

• Missing Catholic priest found in Sylhet (Dec. 1, 2017)
• Priest missing from Natore rescued in Sylhet (Dec. 2, 2017)
• Natore priest goes missing: A case of abduction or self-disappearance? (Dec. 2, 2017)
• Natore priest went into hiding willingly: police (Dec. 2, 2017)
• Natore priest went into hiding, not kidnapped, police say (Dec. 3, 2017)
• Abducted Bangladeshi priest freed (Dec. 3, 2017)
• Bishop and police bicker over priest 'abduction' (Dec. 4, 2017)

New Twist in the Disappearance of Father Walter William Rozario: He Fled in Face of Accusations of Sexual Misconduct 

• Bangladeshi priest accused of sexual relations with women and girl (Despite police finding that Father Walter Rozario had sex with women and an underage girl, the church has taken no action) (June 13, 2018)
• Bishop opens inquiry into Bangladeshi priest sex claims (Father Walter Rozario removed from post of acting headmaster of Church-run school in Natore district following allegations) (June 14, 2018)
• Accusations against Bangladeshi priest highlights problems of abuse [in Catholic Church in Bangladesh] (June 14, 2018)
• Bangladesh wake-up call on sexual abuse for Asia's bishops (The case of Father Walter Rozario bears all the hallmarks of denial, cover-up and silencing victims seen in the west) (June 14, 2018)

(Updated on Dec. 2 and 4, 2017)
(Updated on June 15, 2018)

Pope Francis' Visit to Bangladesh: Salt+Light TV Interview of Jerome D'Costa

(L-R): Deacon Pedro of the Salt+Light TV, interviewing Jerome D'Costa in view of coming visit of Pope Francis to Bangladesh on November 30 - December 2, 2017

Image courtesy: www.saltandlighttv.org/

On the Weekly Edition of Perspectives, Deacon Pedro, English-language producer, speaks with Jerome D'Costa, a Bangladeshi-Canadian communicator, blogger, and writer, who used to work with Caritas Bangladesh (1973 - 1975), the Pratibeshi -- a Bengali-language national Catholic weekly of the Catholic Bishops of Bangladesh (1977 - 1983), and World Vision of Bangladesh (1984 - 1997). 

This interview was first telecast on Friday, November 24, evening and it will be re-telecast on Sunday, November 26, evening. 

To view this Salt+light TV programme online, you may click on the following:

• Perspectives Weekly: How Does a Papal Visit Change a Host Country?

Pope Francis and Bangladesh

Pope Francis elevates Archbishop Patrick D'Rozario of Bangladesh to the cardinalate in the Vatican (November 19, 2016)

Photo courtesy: www.tkayala.com/

Pope Francis greets Cardinal-designate Patrick D'Rozario of Bangladesh in the Vatican  

Photo courtesy: www.asianews.it/

Another 'November Pope' (called so as three Catholic popes visiting Bangladesh so far came in November) is coming to Bangladesh. He is Pope Francis. He is coming on a three-day state and apostolic visit to Bangladesh on November 30 bringing the message of hope, love, harmony, and peace. He will be the third pope to grace the land of Bangladesh. The second pope to visit Bangladesh was Pope John Paul II on November 19 - 20, 1986. His message to  all Catholics of Bangladesh was to be more faithful to the teachings of Jesus Christ and work for better communion and brotherhood among themselves and also with members of other faiths. Bangladesh Catholic Church had given him a rousing welcome. The  first pope, Pope Paul VI, to set foot to Bangladesh (at that time it was known as East Pakistan) was on November 27, 1970. He had stopped for a few hours as a short stopover on his way to Manila, the Philippines, to express his love and sympathy for the terrible November 12 cyclone victims in the coastal areas of Bangladesh. He also made a donation towards relief and rehabilitation work among those victims. 

Pope Francis, originally from Argentina of South American continent, was elected Pope of the Catholic Church in the Vatican on March 13, 2013. From next month onward, his attention fell on Bangladesh, too. He first spoke on the garment factory collapse at Savar and next he gave public statement on the terrorist attack on Holey Artisan Bakery cafe in Dhaka, he also spoke in support of the Rohingya refugees fleeing to Bangladesh, later he named and elevated Dhaka's archbishop Patrick D'Rozario to the cardinalate, and now he is to visit Bangladesh next week. His association with Bangladesh is noteworthy. 

Being from a third-world country of Argentina, Pope Francis easily understands peoples and situations in countries like Bangladesh and Myanmar. He will be the right person to encourage, inspire, and boost the the hopes and aspirations of the people. His motto for Bangladesh visit is "harmony and peace." He knows that harmony and peace are so necessary in a country where people belong to different culture and religions. On November 21, he expressed his eagerness to meet with Catholic and other inter-religious leaders. "I want to meet the entire people. In a special way, I cannot wait to meet the religious leaders in Ramna Park" [Suhrawarthy Uddyan] in Dhaka. 

Bangladesh Government and the Catholic Church are ready to receive Pope Francis with cordiality and open arms. They are ready to hear him and interact with him on different issues. His advent to Bangladesh will act as a source of inspiration and encouragement for greater harmony and peace among peoples of different religions and culture. 

Pope Francis, on his arrival in Dhaka at 3:00 p.m., on Thursday, November 30, will lay wreaths and pay homage in the National Martyrs' Memorial [to those who were killed in 1971 Liberation War] and Bangabandhu Memorial [to Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the Father of the Nation]. He will also meet with country's president Abdul Hamid and government and civic dignitaries and members of foreign diplomatic corps. On Friday, December 1, he is offer solemn morning Mass at the Suhrawardy Uddyan for about 100,000 Christians and he will ordain 16 local deacons to priesthood. In the afternoon, he will meet with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at the Apostolic Nunciature (Vatican Embassy), visit St. Mary's Cathedral at Ramna, speak to the nine bishops of Bangladesh, and, finally, join the leaders in an inter-religious and ecumenical meeting for peace in the open space at the Archbishop's House. A small group of Rohingya refugees will also be present in this meeting. On the final day, Saturday, December 2, in the mid-morning, he will privately visit Mother Teresa's Missionaries of Charity house at Tejgaon, meet with priests, Brothers, Sisters, seminarians and novices at the Holy Rosary Church, visit the parish cemetery and historic church (old one), meet with young people at Notre Dame College, and go to the Dhaka International Airport for the farewell ceremony. At 5:05 p.m. his plane leaves for Rome. 

To know more on Pope Francis and Bangladesh, you may click on the following: 

• Pope Francis in Bangladesh 2017 (Official website of the Bangladesh Catholic Church on the papal visit)
• Pope stresses workers’ dignity after Bangladesh factory collapse [garment factory at Savar] (April 28, 2013)
• Bangladesh factory collapse: Pope condemns 'slave labour' conditions (May 1, 2017)
• Bangladesh attack an offense against God,humanity, Pope Francis says [terrorist attack on Holey Artisan Bakery cafe in Dhaka] (July 2, 2016)
• Pope Francis condemns Bangladesh attack as 'barbarous act' (July 2, 2016)
• Pope prays for victims of recent attacks inBaghdad and Dhaka (July 3, 2016)
• Pope Francis prays for victims, families of Dhaka and Baghdad attacks (July 3, 2016)
• Archbishop Patrick D'Rozario Named a Cardinal by Pope Francis (October 10, 2016)
• Archbishop Patrick D’Rozario, CSC, named a Cardinal, the First for Bangladesh (October 11, 2016)
• Pope Francis to Create 17 New Cardinals at November Consistory (October 9, 2016)
• Pope creates 17 new ‘progressive’ cardinals (November 19, 2016)
• Pope elevates His Eminence Patrick D'Rozario as 1st Bangladeshi Cardinal (November 19, 2016)
• Pope Francis Elevates Archbishop Patrick D’Rozario to Cardinalate (November 20, 2016)
• For Bangladesh's new cardinal, papal visit will boost faith (November 19, 2016)
• Pope Francis defends right of Burma's Rohingya Muslims to 'live their faith' (February 8, 2017)
• Pope Prays for Rohingya Muslims (February 9, 2017)
• Pope condemns Myanmar's treatment of 'peaceful' Rohingya refugees (February 9, 2017)
• Pope Francis issues stinging rebuke of Myanmar over atrocities against Rohingya Muslims (February 9, 2017)
• Pope meets families of victims from deadly Bangladesh attack [some family members of Italian victims of terrorist attack in Holey Artisan Bakery cafe in Dhaka] (February 22, 2017)
• Pope Francis: appeal for end to violence against Rohingya (August 27, 2017)
• Pope Francis meets family members of Dhaka terror attack victims (February 24, 2017)
• It’s official: Pope Francis to visit Myanmar, Bangladesh in November (August 28, 2017)
• Pope Francis to Visit Myanmar, Bangladesh in November (August 28, 2017)
• Vatican releases logos for Pope Francisvisit to Bangladesh, Myanmar (August 28, 2017)
• Vatican Announces Papal Visit to Myanmar and Bangladesh (August 28, 2017)
• Pope Francis to visit Bangladesh and Myanmar in November (August 28, 2017)
• Pope to visit Bangladesh and Myanmar later this year (August 28, 2017)
• Cardinal D’Rozario: The Pope’s visit to Dhaka, a confirmation of inter-religious harmony (August 28, 2017) [video included]
• Cardinal D'Rozario: The Pope wants the world to know about Bangladesh (September 26, 2017)
• Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh have faint hopes about pope's visit (October 3, 2017)
• Pope's visit to Bangladesh, "a pilgrimage to the soul of the people" -- Cardinal D'Rozario (October 7, 2017)
• Schedule of Pope Francis’ apostolic visit to Myanmar, Bangladesh (October 10, 2017)
• Vatican releases pope's schedule for visit to Myanmar, Bangladesh (October 10, 2017)
• Longing for peace: Pope to preach dialogue in Bangladesh, Myanmar (November 15, 2017)
• Pope Francis sends video message to the people of Bangladesh (November 21, 2017) [video included]
• Pope Francis’ Video Message to Bangladesh (November 21, 2017) [video included]
• Pope eager to meet Catholic inter-religious leaders in Bangladesh (November 21, 2017)
• Before Bangladesh trip, Pope calls for inter-religious dialogue (November 21, 2017)
• Pope Francis’ message to Bangladesh (November 21, 2017)
• Pope Francis releases video message forpeople of Bangladesh (November 21, 2017) [video included]
• Bangladesh Church preparing for Pope’s visit – Cardinal D’Rozario Bangladesh Church preparing for Pope's visit -- Cardinal D'Rozario(November 22, 2017)
• Bangladesh religious leaders have high hopes for pope's visit (November 22, 2017)
• Pope Francis to meet Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh (November 22, 2017)
• Bangladesh Cardinal says Pope Francis will bring message of dialogue and harmony (November 23, 2017)
• Cardinal Parolin: Pope's visit to Myanmar, Bangladesh 'to encourage Christians' (November 24, 2017)
• Asie du Sud -- Bangladesh (November 15, 2017) [A French-language article on the Catholic Church in Bangladesh in view of the visit of Pope Francis to Bangladesh]
• Perspectives Weekly - How Does a Papal Visit Change a Host Country? Perspective Weekly - How Does a Papal Visit Change a Host Country?(Deacon Pedro interviews Jerome D'Costa on the Salt and Light TV in view of the visit of Pope Francis to Bangladesh) (November, 2017)
  
  

Vatican Announces Papal Visit to Myanmar and Bangladesh

The coming papal visit logos for Myanmar (left) and Bangladesh (right)

Image courtesy: Radio Vaticana

The Vatican on August 28 announced Pope Francis' official apostolic visit to Myanmar (Burma) and Bangladesh from November 27 to December 2, reports the Catholic News Agency (CNA).

The Vatican spokesman, Greg Burke, read out a statement that the pope will make the visit to the cities of Yangoon (former Rangoon) and Nay Pyi Taw of Myanmar on November 27 - 30. The pope then will be in Dhaka, Bangladesh, on November 30 - December 2.

In Myanmar, according to the 2014 census, there are roughly 5.1 million people, of whom 88% are Buddhists, 6.2% Christians (among whom 700,000 are Roman Catholics), and 4.3% Muslims and .5% Hindus.

In last May, the Vatican and Myanmar officially established diplomatic relations with the provision of having each other's ambassadors. In 2015, Charles Maung Bo, the archbishop of Yangoon, was elevated to the cardinalate.

The neighbouring Bangladesh, on the other hand, has a population of about 163 million and, according to the 2011 census, 90.39% are Muslims, 8.54% Hindus, 0.60% Buddhists, 0.37% Christians (of whom, about 300,000 are Catholics) and 0.14% others (Sikhs, animists, and atheists) . Patrick D'Rozario, the archbishop of Dhaka, became a cardinal in the papal consistory in the Vatican on November 19, 2016. 

It is noteworthy that Pope Francis' visit to Bangladesh will be the third visit of a pope. On November 27, 1970, Pope Paul VI, on his way to Manila, the Philippines, made a short stopover in Dhaka (then in East Pakistan, which later became Bangladesh), and expressed his love and sympathy for the victims of the deadly November 12 cyclone that had devastated a large portion of the coastal areas and killed more than 300,000 people.   Pope John Paul II, made an apostolic visit to Dhaka, Bangladesh, on November 19 - 20, 1986.   

To know more on the coming papal visit, plead read the following:

• It's Official: Pope Francis to visit Myanmar, Bangladesh in November (Aug. 28, 2017)
• Pope Francis to visit Myanmar, Bangladesh in November (Aug. 28, 2017)
• Vatican releases logos for Pope Francis' visit to Bangladesh, Myanmar (Aug. 28, 2017)
• Cardinal D'Rozario: The Pope's visit to Dhaka, a confirmation of inter-religious harmony (Aug. 28, 2o17)


(Updated on August 29, 2017)