Pope Francis, right, and Myanmar Buddhist leader Bhaddanta Kumarabhivamsa, chairman of the State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee, speak in Yangon on Nov. 29.

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YUICHI NITTA, Nikkei staff writer, and KATSUHIKO HARA, Nikkei Asian Review assistant politics & economy editor

December 5, 2017 12:15 JST

YANGON/TOKYO -- On the third day of his recent visit to Myanmar, Pope Francis entered the Kaba Aye Center, one of the most important Buddhist temples in Yangon, with his shoes off in accordance with local customs.