About 150 thousand people participated in this Mass with the pope in Yangon. It was a notable amount since there are only 800 thousand Catholics total in all Myanmar.
The pope toured the park with the popemobile to greet and be near each of the attendees.
People from the Kachin State, the area with the most Catholics, were unable to attend since they are trapped in the middle of an internal civil war and live as refugees in camps. That is why they sent the pope a wooden staff that he held during this Mass.
During his homily, the pope recalled that many people in this country carry the wounds of violence in their bodies or souls.
POPE FRANCIS
'We think that healing can come from anger and revenge. Yet the way of revenge is not the way of Jesus.'
Pope Francis recalled the efforts of a local charity and the Pontifical Mission Societies to help resolve the tensions. He thanked the tiny Catholic Church of Myanmar, a minority of just over one percent of the population, for what it does to help people of every ethnicity and religion.
The pope made sure he did not mention the word 'Rohingya,' because it is counterproductive to that minority and would unleash even more hatred.
POPE FRANCIS
'The Church in this country is helping great numbers of men, women and children, regardless of religion or ethnic background.
'God will surely crown your efforts to sow seeds of healing and reconciliation in your families, communities and the wider society of this nation.'
Additionally, after the homily, the three states most affected by the violence were included in the prayer of the faithful.
'For the leaders of Myanmar, that they may always foster peace and reconciliation through dialogue and understanding, thus promoting an end to conflict in the states of Kachin, Rakhine and Shan.'
It was a very exciting ceremony, which included many traditional elements of Myanmar.
All the Asian cardinals attended, in addition to pilgrims from countries such as Malaysia, China, India and Vietnam.
