<sod >The Vatican defended the Pope's silence, saying he wanted to "build bridges" with the predominantly Buddhist nation, which only recently established diplomatic relations with the Holy See.< eod>< sod > ÃÂÃÂ  The Vatican defended FrancisÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂs silence in Myanmar, saying he wanted to ÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂbuild bridgesÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂ with the predominantly Buddhist nation, which only recently established diplomatic relations with the Holy See.< eod>