A few extras in Colombo

Yesterday afternoon, having returned from Madhu after the Marian celebration at the Shrine of Our Lady of the Rosary, the Pope met at the Apostolic Nunciature in Colombo with the former President of the Republic of Sri Lanka, Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa, who had initially offered the official invitation for the Pope's visit to his country.  The former President was accompanied (for this visit) by his brother, who also served as a Minister in the former government, and their respective wives.

During the evening hours,the Pope visited the Buddhist temple of Mahabodhi - having welcomed the invitation which had been offered to do so either when he arrived at the airport on the previous day or at the conclusion of the inter-religious meeting held yesterday - by one of the monks from that temple.

Neither of these events had been accounted for in the official programme for the Apostolic visit.

Finally, before returning to the Nunciature, Pope Francis wished to honour his scheduled meeting with the Bishops, who he was unable to meet on Wednesday due to the fact that his arrival in the country had been delayed.  He therefore travelled to the Archbishop's office where he met with the Prelates, who had returned by this point from Madhu.