Bangkok (Thailand). On 29 April 2025, in Bangkok, at the royal temple of Wat Phra Chetuphon Wimonmangklaram, district of Phra Nakhon, an interfaith prayer was held in suffrage for Pope Francis, who died on 21 april 2025, promoted by the Supreme Patriarch of the Sangha of Northern Thailand, His Holiness Somdej Phra Maha Thirachan.
Gathered under the Ubosot, the interior of the Temple dedicated to Buddha, next to an image of Pope Francis adorned with white flowers, were civil, religious, and ecclesiastical representatives, including Buddhist monks and three Daughters of Mary Help of Christians of Saint Mary Mazzarello Province (THA), following a shared rite.
After the arrival of the main Catholic ecclesiastical authorities, including Mons. Francis Xavier Vira Arpornrat, Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Bangkok and President of the Episcopal Conference of Thailand, and the Apostolic Nuncio Mons. Peter Brian Wells, entered His Holiness Somdej Phra Maha Thirachan, who began the ceremony by lighting candles and incense in honor of the Triple Gem. Mons. Vira Arpornrat then lit the candles in front of the portrait of Pope Francis.
At the end of the prayer, the Abbot poured water as a sign of blessing and pronounced a moving tribute to Pope Francis, calling the day a historic event for world religions. He stressed gratitude for the opportunity to honor the Pontiff, remembered for his deep kindness towards humanity and his inspired mission, also mentioning his birth name, Jorge Mario Bergoglio.
“Today is a day that should be defined as one of the historical days of world religions. We gathered together to celebrate a ceremony of merit, according to the Buddhist tradition, dedicated to His Holiness Pope Francis, Head of the Church. Although we are all deeply saddened by the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis, our hearts must be filled with great joy and contentment for having had the opportunity to gather together to pay homage to him who has shown great kindness towards the people of the world.”
Recalling the official visit to Thailand, from 20 to 23 November 2019, the Abbot praised the strength of love and faith brought by the Pontiff, underlining his mission of charity during his pontificate (2013-2025). He highlighted the spiritual legacy he left to the world, inviting it to continue its work in the values of love, justice, interreligious dialogue, and global solidarity. He defined Pope Francis a prophet of the present time, courageous witness of mercy and hope for humanity:
“In Pope Francis, I appreciated the strength of love and faith he brought to our land. Throughout his pontificate (2013-2025), he carried out a mission of charity towards the Church and the world. This is the legacy that he left to the world and it urges us not only to remember him, but also to continue his mission.”
Those present listened with recollection to the witness of religious fraternity, a sign of continuous interreligious dialogue. Mons. Vira Arpornrat expressed his sincere thanks to Somdej Phra Maha Thirachan for the initiative, recognizing in it the common will to witness the spiritual and human values embodied by Pope Francis, shared by both faiths.
The testimony of Sister Anna Grassi, Sister Ratana Radomkit, Sister Susanna Kitsaguan, and Sister Srivilaiwan Khimnae, representatives of the FMA of Thailand: “This celebration was a favorable opportunity for us to share prayer in suffrage of our beloved Pope Francis together with Buddhists and Christians. We will share this experience with the young people and adults that we daily welcome in our educative/pastoral environments. It was also an opportunity to meet some Catholics we know, including some of our Past Pupils.”
Photo: Buddhist Temple of Wat Phra Chetuphon Wimonmangklaram
Quanta inspiração deixou o rico legado de amor e sensibilidade humanizadora do Santo Padre, Papa Francisco presenteou a Igreja Católica Apostólica Roma, e o mundo laico, as religiões e crenças diferenciadas.
Que do céu ele continue intercedendo pela vida da Igreja e pala paz no mundo. Amém!