Pope Francis arrives in Thailand at start of Asia trip

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

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.