Pope Francis arrives in Thailand at start of Asia trip

Pope Francis flanked by a Salesian nun Ana Rosa Sivori, who is his cousin, arrives at a military air terminal in Bangkok, Thailand November 20, 2019. REUTERS/Remo Casilli

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Pope Francis arrived in Thailand on Wednesday to meet with the country's small but devoted Catholic minority on a seven-day Asian trip that will include a family reunion in Bangkok and take his anti-nuclear message to Japan.

The pope's plane touched down outside Bangkok around midday for a visit that coincides with the 350th anniversary of the first papal mission in Siam, the former name of Thailand.

"Dear friends in Thailand and Japan, before we meet, let us pray together that these days may be rich in grace and joy," read a message on the pontiff's official Twitter account before he left the Vatican.

Pope Francis flanked by a Salesian nun Ana Rosa Sivori, who is his cousin, hugs a member of the clergy as he arrives at a military air terminal in Bangkok, Thailand November 20, 2019. REUTERS/Remo Casilli

Catholics are a tiny minority in mostly Buddhist Thailand, accounting for less than 2% of the population.

Pope Francis will meet King Maha Vajiralongkorn, as well as the supreme Buddhist patriarch and Catholic leaders and students before he moves on to Japan on Saturday.

His translator in Thailand will be his cousin and childhood friend, Sister Ana Rosa Sivori, 77, who has worked in Thai schools for more than 50 years.

Well-wishers wave flags while waiting for the arrival of Pope Francis in Bangkok, Thailand, November 20, 2019. REUTERS/Soe Zeya Tun

(Editing by Simon Cameron-Moore)

Pope Francis arrives at a military air terminal in Bangkok, Thailand November 20, 2019. REUTERS/Remo Casilli

Pope Francis walks next to his cousin Salesian nun Ana Rosa Sivori, upon his arrival at a military air terminal in Bangkok, Thailand November 20, 2019. REUTERS/Remo Casilli

Pope Francis waves as he arrives at a military air terminal in Bangkok, Thailand November 20, 2019. REUTERS/Remo Casilli

Pope Francis arrives at a military air terminal in Bangkok, Thailand November 20, 2019. REUTERS/Remo Casilli

A well-wisher holds a Vatican flag while waiting for the arrival of Pope Francis at the Vatican Embassy in Bangkok, Thailand, November 20, 2019. REUTERS/Soe Zeya Tun

Well-wishers wait for the arrival of Pope Francis in Bangkok, Thailand, November 20, 2019. REUTERS/Soe Zeya Tun

A well-wisher dressed as Pope Francis waves while waiting for his arrival in in Bangkok, Thailand, November 20, 2019. REUTERS/Soe Zeya Tun TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

A well-wisher dressed as Pope Francis greets the crowd while waiting for his arrival in Bangkok, Thailand, November 20, 2019. REUTERS/Soe Zeya Tun

A well-wisher waves flags while waiting for the arrival of Pope Francis in Bangkok, Thailand, November 20, 2019. REUTERS/Soe Zeya Tun