Pope Francis Arrives in Sri Lanka to Kick Off Six-Day Asia Trip
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neneos/iStock Editorial/Thinkstock(COLOMBO, Sri Lanka) — Pope Francis arrived in Sri Lanka Tuesday for a six-day trip that will also include a stop-over in the Philippines.
As he stepped off the plane Tuesday morning, the pope delivered a strong message about the country’s post-war reconciliation, saying it must include “the pursuit of truth” as a way to promote justice, healing and unity.
Sri Lanka’s civil war ended just five years ago and the country is still struggling toward democracy and religious tolerance.
Just 10 percent of Sri Lankans are Catholic but they come from both sides of the formerly warring ethnic groups. Observers say the Catholic church hopes to create peaceful religious dialogue to counter the rise of Buddhist extremism.
During his visit, the pope will lead a ceremony to make the Indian-born 17th-century missionary Joseph Vaz a saint.
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