Moscow, Apr 22 (UNI) Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra on Monday, on behalf of the Thai people, expressed condolences over the passing of Pope Francis, saying that his compassion, courage, and humility “inspired millions of people across faiths and nations.”
Earlier in the day, the Holy See announced that Pope Francis died on Easter Monday at the age of 88 at his residence in the Vatican’s Casa Santa Marta.
“On behalf of the people of Thailand, I extend my profound sorrow and deepest condolences on the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis. His unwavering compassion, moral courage, noble humility, and tireless pursuit of peace inspired millions of people across faiths and nations. Thailand joins the world in mourning the loss of a true beacon of humanity,” Shinawatra said on X.
Meanwhile, the government of East Timor, also known as Timor-Leste, said earlier in the day that a week-long mourning will be declared in the country to honor the memory of the late pontiff.
“It was with great pain that East Timor has received the news of the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis, a spiritual leader who has made an invaluable impact on humanity, a tireless defender of the most vulnerable, and a promoter of peace, justice, and fraternity among peoples,” the government said in a statement.
It also presented its heartfelt condolences to the Catholic Church, the College of Cardinals, the Argentinian people, and all the faithful in the world.
On Sunday, Pope Francis made his last public appearance, addressing people from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican with the Easter message. After greeting the crowd, he passed the word to Archbishop Diego Ravelli, the Master of Pontifical Liturgical Celebrations, who read an appeal and a blessing, “Urbi et Orbi” (“For the City and the World”), on behalf of the pontiff. In what became his last message to the world, the Pope called for an end to military conflicts in different regions.
