The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Vietnam (VBC) commenced its first annual meeting for 2025 under a solemn atmosphere of prayer and mourning following the passing of Pope Francis.
On the afternoon of April 21, Monday of the Octave of Easter, the entire VBC convened at the Pastoral Center of the Archdiocese of Hue to formally open the conference. Just hours earlier, the Holy See announced that Pope Francis passed away at 7:35 a.m. Rome time (12:45 p.m. in Vietnam).
Before welcoming the bishops on behalf of the faithful of Hue, Archbishop Joseph Nguyen Chi Linh, Archbishop of Hue, led a minute of silence in memory of the late pontiff, whose leadership left a profound impact on the Vietnamese Church.
At 8:15 p.m., all pastors from the 27 dioceses, joined by Cardinal Peter Nguyen Van Nhon, Archbishop Francis Xavier Le Van Hong, and members of the Secretariat, gathered for Eucharistic Adoration and the Liturgy of Evening Prayer.
A portrait of Pope Francis was solemnly placed near the sanctuary of the Pastoral Center, as the bishops paid tribute to his life and ministry.
In light of the vacancy of the Apostolic See, the Liturgy Committee of the Vietnamese Bishops’ Conference issued official “Liturgical Notes during the Vacant Apostolic See” to guide diocesan observances.
The bishops also committed to informing the People of God throughout the country about the Pope’s passing and the appropriate liturgical response.
The conference, scheduled to run from April 21 to 25, includes pastoral deliberations, synodal reflections, and preparations for Vatican-related activities.
Following the conclusion of the meeting, a delegation from the VBC will travel to Rome to attend the funeral of Pope Francis on April 26.
Originally planned as a formal visit, the trip will now take on added significance. The VBC delegation had been scheduled for an audience with Pope Francis on the morning of April 28 and a series of working sessions with various Vatican dicasteries from April 28 to May 3, as arranged by the Standing Committee of the Episcopal Conference late last year.
These engagements will now proceed in the context of a Church in mourning.
All photos by Hue Archdiocese Media, Vietnam Bishops’ Conference Media, and Episcopal Council Media
Vietnamese bishops gather in solemn tribute to Pope Francis during the opening of their annual conference at the Pastoral Center of the Archdiocese of Hue on April 21, 2025. A portrait of the late pontiff was prominently displayed near the sanctuary as Church leaders led prayers and Eucharistic Adoration in mourning. Photo credit: Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Vietnam/hdgmvietnam.com
Vietnamese bishops gather in solemn tribute to Pope Francis during the opening of their annual conference at the Pastoral Center of the Archdiocese of Hue on April 21, 2025. A portrait of the late pontiff was prominently displayed near the sanctuary as Church leaders led prayers and Eucharistic Adoration in mourning. Photo credit: Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Vietnam/hdgmvietnam.com
Vietnamese bishops gather in solemn tribute to Pope Francis during the opening of their annual conference at the Pastoral Center of the Archdiocese of Hue on April 21, 2025. A portrait of the late pontiff was prominently displayed near the sanctuary as Church leaders led prayers and Eucharistic Adoration in mourning. Photo credit: Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Vietnam/hdgmvietnam.com
Vietnamese bishops gather in solemn tribute to Pope Francis during the opening of their annual conference at the Pastoral Center of the Archdiocese of Hue on April 21, 2025. A portrait of the late pontiff was prominently displayed near the sanctuary as Church leaders led prayers and Eucharistic Adoration in mourning. Photo credit: Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Vietnam/hdgmvietnam.com
Vietnamese bishops open the first annual meeting of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Vietnam for 2025 at the Pastoral Center of the Archdiocese of Hue on April 21. The agenda includes pastoral updates, reflections on the Synod, and preparations for attending the funeral of Pope Francis.
Photo credit: Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Vietnam/ hdgmvietnam.com
Vietnamese bishops open the first annual meeting of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Vietnam for 2025 at the Pastoral Center of the Archdiocese of Hue on April 21. The agenda includes pastoral updates, reflections on the Synod, and preparations for attending the funeral of Pope Francis.
Photo credit: Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Vietnam/ hdgmvietnam.com
Vietnamese bishops open the first annual meeting of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Vietnam for 2025 at the Pastoral Center of the Archdiocese of Hue on April 21. The agenda includes pastoral updates, reflections on the Synod, and preparations for attending the funeral of Pope Francis.
Photo credit: Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Vietnam/ hdgmvietnam.com
Vietnamese bishops open the first annual meeting of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Vietnam for 2025 at the Pastoral Center of the Archdiocese of Hue on April 21. The agenda includes pastoral updates, reflections on the Synod, and preparations for attending the funeral of Pope Francis.
Photo credit: Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Vietnam/ hdgmvietnam.com
Indonesian newspapers show the news of the death of Pope Francis, at a stall in Jakarta on April 22, 2025. Pope Francis died of a stroke, the Vatican announced hours after the death on April 21 of the 88-year-old reformer who inspired devotion but riled traditionalists during 12 years leading the Catholic Church. (Photo by BAY ISMOYO / AFP)
