Pope Benedict XVI has appointed the recently-retired Cardinal Joseph Zen as his special envoy to the 25th anniverary celebrations for John Paul II's visit to Thailand.

The celebrations will be held in Bangkok on May 10 and 11.

The names of the members of the mission accompanying the cardinal have also been made public: Fr. John Bosco Thepharat Pitisant S.D.B., provincial superior of the Salesian Fathers in Thailand; Fr. Vincent Ekapong Pongsungnern of the clergy of the archdiocese of Bangkok, assistant of the secretary general of the Episcopal Commission for the Pastoral Carte of Christians; Msgr. Marek Zalewski, nunciature counsellor in Bangkok, and Msgr. Dennis Kuruppassery, secretary of the nunciature in Bangkok.