Pope Francis has added in a private meeting with Myanmar's military chief during his upcoming trip to the region in an indication that the Vatican views the crackdown on Rohingya Muslims as a military operation distinct from the will of the civilian government of Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi. The Vatican also confirmed Wednesday that Francis would meet with Rohingya Muslims during an interreligious meeting in neighboring Dhaka, Bangladesh, on Dec. 1. Myanmar's Catholic leaders have urged Francis against using the term "Rohingya," calling it "political" and "contested." Francis' visit was in the works before the start of the latest violence, which began with a series of attacks Aug. 25 by Rohingya insurgents against security positions in Rakhine state. Previously, Francis was only expected to meet with Suu Kyi and deliver a speech to Myanmar authorities, civil society and diplomats, at which military leaders would be expected to attend.

Source: ABC News November 22, 2017 13:51 UTC