Asian Christians pay tributes to Pope Francis

The late pontiff is hailed as a model of humility and mercy, champion of the poor and the marginalized

Apr 22, 2025

Christians and governments across Asia have paid tribute to Pope Francis, the supreme spiritual leader of the Catholic Church, who passed away at the Vatican on April 21 at the age of 88.

The late pontiff was described as a model of humility and mercy, a champion of the poor and the marginalized and a beacon of peace, humanity and unity by political, social and religious leaders across the region.

Bangladesh
Professor Muhammad Yunus, the head of Bangladesh’s interim government, sent a message to the Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin to express condolences over the death of Francis.

Yunus described Francis as “a beacon of peace, humanity, and unity” and said he was honored to meet him many times and to work closely with him to foster peace, human dignity and environmental stewardship.

“With his passing away, we have seen the end of an epoch of dignified papacy, honed by suave leadership qualities, carried out for uplifting human dignity, interfaith harmony, and justice for the marginalized. His leadership transcended religious boundaries and inspired millions to step up efforts to build a more inclusive, tolerant and compassionate world,” he said in a statement.

Oblate Archbishop Bejoy N. D’Cruze of Dhaka, president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Bangladesh, termed Francis' death a great loss for the Church and the world.

“His ideals, teachings, simplicity and love for the poorest and marginalized communities are our inspiration. We will continue his vision for an inclusive, synodal Church,” D’Cruze said in a video message on April 21.

He described Francis’ visit to Bangladesh in 2017 as “a remarkable moment” in the life of minority Christians in the country.

“His visit and interactions with the broader sections of the society and leaders of other faiths uplifted the Christian community,” he noted.

Catholic Churches across Bangladesh are scheduled to hold special prayers and Masses on April 22 for Pope Francis.

India
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India's president, Cardinal Felipe Neri Ferrao, said Francis was “a true shepherd of God’s people” who championed the cause of the poor and the marginalized, and called to embrace the world with compassion, justice and care for creation.

Francis’ legacy will be forever cherished, he said in a statement.

“His vision to transform the Church into a synodal community that listens, discerns, and journeys together and embraces inclusivity had left an indelible mark on the Church at all levels,” he said.

Neri said Francis held a special love for India and longed to “visit our land.”

“He consistently reminded us of our duty for the poor and to build a synodal Church,” he said, adding that he encouraged bishops to guide local churches to implement the fruits of the synodal journey.

Neri noted that Francis made five Indian saints during his pontificate — St. Kuriakose Elias Chavara and St. Euphrasia Eluvanthingal in 2014, St. Joseph Vaz in 2015, St. Mariam Thresia Chiramel in 2019, and St. Devasahyam Pillai in 2022.

The prelate called on all churches to offer a Requiem Mass for Pope Francis.

Pakistan
Archbishop Benny Travas of Karachi in a statement Francis has left "a great legacy" for the Catholic Church to follow.

“He centered his entire pontificate around living our Christian life with joy, with mercy, and forgiveness and with deep concern and love for the poor and vulnerable of the society, especially the migrants,” he said.

Protestant Bishop Samuel Azariah of the Church of Pakistan paid homage to Francis.

“Throughout his papacy, Pope Francis left an indelible legacy of mercy, servanthood, ecology, and sodality. His emphasis on mercy, as seen in his 2015 Jubilee of Mercy, the Protestant bishop said.

Azariah, the director of the Rawalpindi-based Christian Study Center, said the center is inspired by Pope Francis’ vision of a “field hospital” Church — one that heals wounds and seeks out the excluded.

“His teachings on mercy and service resonate with our mission to build bridges of understanding in Pakistan, where religious minorities face significant challenges. We draw strength from his example as we continue our work in fostering dialogue and advocating for justice,” he added.

Thailand
Archbishop Francis Xavier Vira Arpondratana of Bangkok and president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Thailand, said the Thai Church remains united in grief and prayer.

“The faithful across the country, who still vividly remember his historic visit to Thailand five years ago, are united in prayer for the repose of his soul as he returns home to the Father,” he said.

The legacy of Pope Francis will be cherished in the days to come, he said.

“His life, his words, and his witness have profoundly touched the hearts of so many of us. Inspired by his legacy, we will continue our journey — walking together as pilgrims of hope, striving to live the Gospel with our lives,” he added.

Korea
The Korean Church and people will always remember Pope Francis for his love and care, said Archbishop Peter Chung Soo-taick of Seoul Archdiocese.

Pope Francis faithfully walked the path of faith and love, offering profound spiritual guidance to all, Chung said in a statement on April 21.

The late pope’s bond with the Catholic Church of Korea was “deep and heartfelt,” Chung said.

During his Korea visit in 2014, he presided over a beatification ceremony for Korean martyrs — the first of its kind to be held outside Rome — and "delivered a powerful message of hope and courage to young people at the Asian Youth Day,” he recalled.

“Young people are not only the hope of tomorrow, but the Church of today,” Chung quoted him as saying.

Francis prayed tirelessly for peace and reconciliation on the Korean Peninsula and called all to walk the path of peace.

“At the World Youth Day Cross Handover Ceremony in November 2024, he expressed his heartfelt desire to return to Korea once more,” Chung noted.

Singapore
Cardinal William Goh of Singapore called Francis “a model of mercy and compassion and a champion of unity and hope,” not just for Catholics, but for the world, especially the weak, the marginalized, and the poor.

“Pope Francis’ constant call for inclusivity gave the world a Church that welcomed all, especially those who yearned for love, mercy, and hope. His actions inspired the faithful to be the face of Christ to others and reach out to those on the fringes of society,” Goh said in a message.

“Our Holy Father was an advocate for the environment. His encyclical Laudato Si' exhorted us to be responsible stewards of the Earth, urging global action to combat climate change, and to protect our common home,” he noted.

During his visit to Singapore in a meeting with youth from different faiths, he emphasized dialogue and understanding between the religious communities, he added.

Malaysia
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim hailed Francis as a “global moral compass whose legacy of peace, justice and interfaith compassion transcended religious boundaries.”

“Pope Francis, the first pontiff from the Global South, has died — but his moral legacy, rooted in compassion, humility and justice, lives on,” Ibrahim said in a post on his official Facebook page.

“Pope Francis was a steadfast advocate for peace,” Anwar wrote. “His efforts to build bridges across faiths and cultures earned him the respect of many, including in the Muslim world.”

The pope’s unwavering stand on interfaith understanding, the dignity of the oppressed, and the protection of the Earth struck a chord even beyond the walls of the Vatican, he said.

“He spoke with moral clarity on the immense suffering in Gaza,” Anwar noted, “reminding the world that we must show the same compassion to all victims of violence, wherever they may be.”

Pope Francis’ advocacy for migrants and refugees, his tireless call for humanity to respond not with fear but with conscience, defined his papacy as one of quiet yet fierce moral courage, he added.

Philippines
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines said Francis was “a shepherd who walked with his people, often choosing the dusty road toward the peripheries rather than the comfort of the center.”

“Through Evangelii Gaudium and Fratelli Tutti, he reminded us that the heart of the Gospel beats most strongly where pain, poverty, and exclusion dwell. He invited us to be a listening Church — one that opens its ears to the cries of the people and its heart to the stirrings of the Spirit,” conference president Cardinal Pablo David Virgilio said in a statement on April 21.

“Through his vision of synodality, Pope Francis challenged us to rediscover the Church not as a fortress, but as a field hospital — welcoming, healing, and journeying together. With Laudato Si’ and Laudate Deum, he taught us to see the earth as our common home, entrusted to our care, especially for the sake of the generations to come,” he noted.

“And with his characteristic wit and warmth, he once called our Overseas Filipino migrant workers contrabandistas de la fe — smugglers of the faith — reminding us that the witness of simple, faithful lives can cross borders and touch hearts where formal missionaries cannot go,” he added.

Indonesia
Indonesian Cardinal Ignatius Suharyo Hardjoatmodjo recalled Pope Francis’ simplicity and outreach to marginalized groups as an important legacy for the Catholic Church.

He thanked him for the remarkable visit to the Muslim-majority country last year, during a press conference in Jakarta on April 21.

The cardinal noted that by recently updating the Vatican procedure for a simple papal funeral, Francis made simplicity a mark of his pontificate in life and death.

“He changed the face of the Church from being monarchic to being a Church that serves,” he said.

Pope Francis, during his visit to Indonesia, chose to use a simple car, setting another example of simplicity.

Indonesian Bishops’ Conference president Bishop Antonius Subianto Bunjamin of Bandung said that Francis left an unforgettable legacy.

“They are the values of the Gospel, universal love, brotherhood, concern for the environment, and especially compassion for the poor and marginalized,” he said.

Last September, Francis made the longest foreign trip of his pontificate, covering Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, Timor-Leste, and Singapore.

Timor-Leste
Timor-Leste President Jose Ramos-Horta, in a video message, termed the death of Francis a loss for all religions and all human beings.

“We have lost a pope who was brave and intellectual, who dared to talk against world powers, particularly those always pro-war rather than seeking peace. He also often talked against those in power who oppress the poor and the weak nations,” Horta said.

He noted that for many Timorese, Pope Francis was “a symbol of humility, mercy, and hope,” and his visit to the country and messages of peace and social justice inspired many communities who face hardship and social unrest.

Cardinal Virgilio do Carmo da Silva of Dili archdiocese said Timorese people still relish his visit and many still remember what he said after returning to Rome from Timor-Leste: My heart is here in Timor, my love is here in Timor.”

The Catholic community will honor his legacy through prayer and reflection, the prelate said.

“His leadership leaves a lasting impact, inspiring hope and renewed faith in a brighter future for the nation and the world. His emphasis on caring for the marginalized and advocating for peace resonated deeply with the people here,” he noted.--ucanews.com