ROME/TOKYO – Pope Francis will travel to Japan from Nov. 23 to 26 to visit Tokyo, Nagasaki and Hiroshima and spread his message of mercy and compassion.
The Holy See published his itinerary on Oct. 2.
The Pope will arrive at Haneda Airport from Bangkok, Thailand on Nov. 23.
On Nov. 24, he will visit Nagasaki and deliver a message on nuclear weapons at the Atomic Bomb Hypocenter Park.
He will then proceed to Nishizaka Hill to pay tribute to the 26 Martyr Saints who were executed there.
In the evening, he will visit Hiroshima and address a meeting for peace at the Peace Memorial Park and will return to Tokyo after.
On Nov. 25, the Pope will meet Emperor Naruhito at the Imperial Palace and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at the Kantei. He will later hold a mass at Tokyo Dome.
On his last day in the country, he will visit Sophia University before returning to Rome.
Pope Francis will be the first pope to visit Japan since John Paul II in 1981. - Words by Florenda Corpuz
Here’s Pope Francis’ Schedule for his Japan Visit:
Saturday, Nov. 23
Bangkok-Tokyo
Farewell ceremony at Military Air Terminal 2 of Bangkok
9:30 Departure by plane for Tokyo
17:40 Arrival at Tokyo-Haneda Airport
Welcome ceremony at Tokyo-Haneda Airport
Meeting with the bishops at the Apostolic Nunciature
Sunday, Nov. 24
Tokyo-Nagasaki-Hiroshima-Tokyo
7:00 Departure by plane for Nagasaki
9:20 Arrival at Nagasaki Airport
Message on nuclear weapons at the Atomic Bomb Hypocenter Park
Tribute to the Martyr Saints at the Martyrs’ Monument - Nishizaka Hill
Lunch at the bishop’s house
Holy mass in a baseball stadium
16:35 Departure by plane for Hiroshima
17:45 Arrival at Hiroshima Airport
Meeting for peace at the Peace Memorial
20:25 Departure by plane for Tokyo
22:10 Arrival at Tokyo-Haneda Airport
Monday, Nov. 25
Tokyo
Meeting with the victims of “Triple Disaster” at Bellesalle Hanzomon
Private visit to Emperor Naruhito at the Imperial Palace
Meeting with young people at the Cathedral of Holy Mary
Lunch with the papal delegation at the Nunciature
Holy mass in Tokyo Dome
Meeting with the Prime Minister at Kantei
Meeting with authorities and the diplomatic corps at Kantei
Tuesday, Nov. 26
Tokyo-Rome
Private holy mass with the members of the society of Jesus in the Chapel of Kulturzentrum of Sophia University
Breakfast and private meeting with the collegium maximum at Sophia University
Visit to the elderly and infirm priests at Sophia University
Visit to Sophia University
Farewell ceremony at Tokyo-Haneda Airport
11:35 Departure by plane for Rome/Fiumicino
17:15 Arrival at Rome/Fiumicino Airport
(Photo courtesy of Ryan Lim/Malacañang Photo Bureau)