Pope Francis arrived in Mayanmar

Pope Francis arrived in Yangon on Monday afternoon to crowds of cheering and dancing faithful, as he begins his Apostolic Journey to Myanmar. The Holy Father was greeted at Yangon's airport by the Apostolic Nuncio to Myanmar, Archbishop Paul Tschang In-Nam, and the country's bishops. Also welcoming the Pope was a state delegate representing Myanmar's President Htin Kyaw.

Hundreds of faithful robed in traditional dress lined the streets to express their joy for Pope Francis' arrival through dance and song. They had come from all across the country, especially from the northern states where the majority of Christians live, largely in isolated, rural or mountain villages.

Their excitement was palpable as they waved Vatican or Myanmar national flags, waiting for the pope to pass by. Many were dressed in traditionally embroidered tops and longyis, those brightly coloured lengths of cloth that everyone – women and men – wear wrapped around them here. Others sported hats and T-shirts bearing the words ‘Love and Peace’, the logo for this trip, depicted above a multi-coloured outline of the country, to signify the 135 ethnic groups that make up this south-east Asian country.

Inside the garden of the archbishop’s house, a group of eager Catholics (including a couple of nuns, who stood out from the colourful crowd in their white habits and veils) were energetically dancing and singing. As the blue car, carrying Pope Francis swept through the gates, their cries of excitement rose to fever pitch, as he stepped out and began walking up the path to the cream-coloured, colonial style residence.

Pope Francis celebrated Holy Mass in private at the Archbishop of Yangon's residence before having dinner and resting for the remainder of the day.