As the world prepares to bid farewell to Pope Francis at his funeral in Rome today (Saturday), Catholics in Thailand gathered in prayer and remembrance at a series of special Masses held daily this week at Assumption Cathedral in Bangkok.
The services, organized by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Thailand (CBCT), are being held this week in tribute to the late pontiff, who died on April 21 at his residence in Domus Sanctae Marthae, Vatican City.
On Friday evening, a special Mass was celebrated for members of the diplomatic corps, civil society leaders, and interfaith and ecumenical representatives.
The principal celebrant was the Apostolic Nuncio to Thailand, Archbishop Peter Bryan Wells, who delivered a poignant address at the end of the Mass honoring the life and legacy of Pope Francis.
“In the United Kingdom, when a monarch passes, the cry echoes: ‘The King is dead, long live the King!’ In the Holy See, however, we follow a different cadence,” Archbishop Wells began.
“When a pope returns to God, we pause in quiet reverence, holding back the cry of ‘Viva il Papa!’ until the Holy Spirit guides us to a new shepherd. Yet, even in this moment of loss, we are never without a king. Pope Francis was our earthly guide, but our eternal King is Jesus Christ, whose reign endures forever.”
Archbishop Wells described Pope Francis as a pastor of profound compassion who made the Church a sanctuary for all people. “From forgotten corners of the world to the global stage, he spoke for those without a voice—the poor, the displaced, and the overlooked.”
He recalled key moments of Francis’ pontificate, including the 2015 Jubilee Year of Mercy, which invited the Church to live out God’s tenderness through concrete acts of compassion, and the forthcoming 2025 Jubilee Year of Hope, which the late pope envisioned as a time to become spes—signs of hope amid darkness.
“Misericordia et spes—mercy and hope—remain the cornerstones of his papacy,” said the nuncio. “They urge us to trust in God’s promise of renewal.”
Expressing gratitude to those in attendance, Archbishop Wells highlighted how the pope’s influence transcended religious and national boundaries. “Your presence here tonight reflects the far-reaching impact of Pope Francis’ ministry, a bridge of unity in a fractured world,” he said.
“Let us honor Pope Francis by embracing his vision—extending mercy to all, lifting up the silenced, and holding fast to hope in every trial. May his soul rest in the eternal embrace of the Lord, and may we, his flock, press forward as a people of misericordia et spes, ever devoted to Christ our King.”
Final journey: Funeral at St. Mary Major
In Rome, Pope Francis will be laid to rest today following a Requiem Mass in St. Peter’s Square, presided over by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals. The funeral has drawn approximately 130 international delegations, according to the Vatican’s Office of Protocol.
In accordance with Vatican guidelines, popes must be buried between the fourth and sixth day following death. Though papal funerals have traditionally been elaborate, Francis left instructions for a more modest ceremony in keeping with his simple, pastoral style.
Breaking with a century-long tradition, Pope Francis will not be buried within the Vatican. Instead, his final resting place will be the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome—a church he cherished deeply and often visited in quiet prayer before and after his apostolic journeys.
Nine days of mourning
Following the funeral, the Church will enter the traditional nine-day period of mourning known as the Novendiales. Daily Masses in memory of Pope Francis will be celebrated until May 4.
Meanwhile, cardinals from around the world—including Cardinal Francis Xavier Kriengsak Kovithavanij of Thailand—have arrived in Rome for the funeral today.
Also from Thailand, Cardinal Michael Michai Kitbunchu, at the age of 96, opted not to make the long journey to Rome for the final rite.
As the bells toll in Rome and across Thailand, and prayers rise from Bangkok to Buenos Aires, the legacy of Pope Francis—his unwavering call for mercy, peace, and unity—continues to echo around the globe.
