Bangkok: The President of the Roman Catholic Bishops' Conference of Thailand has expressed condolences following the passing of Pope Francis, the 266th Pope, lauding his efforts to foster global peace and guiding Christians in a thanksgiving mass.
According to Thai News Agency, Archbishop Francis Xavier Vira Apakornrat, the President of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Thailand, along with Father Suwat Leungsa-ard and Sister Anna Rosa-who is a cousin of Pope Francis and has resided in Thailand for over 60 years-announced his passing. Sister Anna Rosa, who welcomed Pope Francis during his 2019 visit to Thailand, expressed her sorrow, reflecting on their long-standing familial bond and his teachings that she cherished.
Pope Francis passed away at 7:35 a.m. local time in Rome due to a ruptured cerebral blood vessel and sudden heart attack at the age of 88. Professor Chainarong Monthienwichianchai, a former advisor to the Vatican's Ministry of Social Communication, recounted Pope Francis' commitment to the Church and his recent presence at the Easter Mass in Vatican City. On that occasion, he called for peace in conflicts such as those in Gaza, Israel, Ukraine, and Russia.
Archbishop Francis Xavier Vira Aphakornrat and Sister Anna Rosa will travel to Vatican City to attend the cremation ceremony. A Mass of thanksgiving for Pope Francis' soul will be held at Assumption Cathedral, led by Archbishop Francis Xavier Vira at 7:00 p.m. Public condolences will be received from April 23-26, 2025, at the Apostolic Nuncio to the Vatican City in Thailand.
Pope Francis, who was elected on March 13, 2013, as the first Pope from South America, had been hospitalized several times before his recent passing. His most recent hospital stay was in February, following a battle with pneumonia from which he had been discharged just weeks before his death.
