Deputy Minister of Interior Teerarat Samrejvanich represented the Thai government at the inauguration of Pope Leo XIV on May 18 at St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City. Assigned by Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra,

Pope Leo XIV spent about 20 years in Peru and was a citizen of the country. He'd often tell Peruvians he had “come from Chicago to Chiclayo; the only difference is a few letters.”

Pope Leo XIV has been chosen to lead the Catholic Church following the death of Pope Francis on Easter Monday.