The pope's first official meeting in Bangladesh was with President Abdul Hamid. First they met in private, and then they delivered their speeches in front of political representatives and the diplomatic corps.
The president assured that Bangladesh is a country with Muslim traditions, but that people of other religions can work freely.
In addition, he recalled that his country has taken care of one million Rohingya who have fled persecution in Myanmar.
ABDUL HARMID
President of Bangladesh
“Now, it is our shared responsibility to ensure for them a safe, sound and dignified return to their own home and integration with the social, economic and political life of Myanmar. Your closeness to them, your call for helping them and to ensure their full rights provide moral responsibility to the international community to act with promptness and sincerity.”
The pope thanked the president for the work Bangladesh has done to face this humanitarian emergency, and he asked the rest of the world to help them.
POPE FRANCIS
“It is imperative that the international community take decisive measures to address this grave crisis, not only by working to resolve the political issues that have led to the mass displacement of people, but also by offering immediate material assistance to Bangladesh in its effort to respond effectively to urgent human needs.”
This meeting ended the pope's first day in Bangladesh.
Tomorrow, the pope will participate in an important ecumenical meeting, which will include members from the Rohingya Muslim minority.
