Pope Francis arrived in Burma on Monday for a four-day visit and was greeted by two dozen children in traditional attire and the nation's bishops. The arrival ceremony at the Yangon airport was brief and led by an envoy of the president, because the formal welcome was scheduled for the next day in Naypyitaw, which has been the capital since 2005. Pope Francis also had a “courtesy visit” with the leaders of the nation’s powerful military. The Pope and General Min Aung Hlaing, who was accompanied by three other generals and a lieutenant colonel, met that first evening in the Yangon archbishop’s residence, where the Pope was staying. Greg Burke, director of the Vatican press office, told reporters the meeting lasted 15 minutes. The two exchanged gifts after discussions about “the great responsibility authorities in the country have at this moment of transition”. The Pope gave the general a medal commemorating his visit to Burma and the general gave the Pope a “harp in the shape of a boat and an ornate rice bowl”, Mr Burke said. Pope Francis had been scheduled to meet the general on Thursday, his last morning in Burma. Although the country is undergoing a transition from military rule to democracy, the general has the power to name some legislators and to nominate government ministers. Although described as a “courtesy visit” and not an official welcome, the visit seemed to go against the usual protocol, which would dictate that the Pope’s first meetings with authorities would be with the head of state and head of government. General Min Aung Hlaing has been criticised by human rights groups for a brutal crackdown on Rohingya following attacks by militants.