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The International Journal of the Royal Society of Thailand
Volume XVI-2024 (Special Issue)
March 5, 2017
His Majesty welcomed Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko of Japan during their private visit
to Thailand, where they laid wreaths at the royal urn of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej
the Great at Amphorn Sathan Throne Hall, Dusit Palace.
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On 21 November 2019, at 5:05 p.m., His Majesty the King and Her Majesty the Queen granted
an audience to His Holiness Pope Francis, the Sovereign of Vatican City State, at Amphorn Sathan
Throne Hall during his official visit to Thailand.
Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio on 17 December 1936, 83 years old at the time of
the visit, was elected as the 266 Pope of the Roman Catholic Church. He is the first Pope from
th
Latin America and a member of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits), the largest religious order within
the Roman Catholic Church.
The relationship between the Thai royal court and the Vatican dates back to 24 August
1669, when Pope Clement IX sent an epistle to King Narai the Great during Ayutthaya period to
foster friendship. In the same year, the Vatican established the “Siamese Mission,” laying the
foundation for the structured and official spread of the Roman Catholic Church in Thailand,
which continues to this day.
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