{"id":48757,"date":"2025-04-23 20:44:39","modified":"2025-04-23 20:44:39","title":"Cambodian leaders mourn death of Pope Francis, honor his global legacy","excerpt":"","thumbnail":"https:\/\/catholiccambodia.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/pope_francis1.png","link":"https:\/\/catholiccambodia.org\/?p=48757&lang=en","content":"<div class=\"field__item\"><br\/><div class=\"paragraph paragraph--type--text paragraph--view-mode--default\"><br\/><div class=\"clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-text field--type-text-long field--label-hidden field__item\"><br\/><br\/><strong>Cambodia's top leaders have expressed their deepest condolences following the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis, honoring his legacy as a global spiritual leader and advocate for peace, justice, and compassion.<\/strong><br\/><br\/>The\u00a0letters of condolence\u00a0were released on April 22.<br\/><br\/>His Majesty King Norodom Sihamoni sent a message to the Vatican, describing Pope Francis as a \u201cspiritual figure of immense stature.\u201d The King highlighted the Pope\u2019s unwavering commitment to moral values such as respect for life, rejection of injustice, and promotion of interreligious dialogue.<br\/><br\/>\u201cBuddhists and Christians alike recognize themselves in the values He upheld with conviction,\u201d the King noted, expressing gratitude on behalf of all Cambodians.<br\/><br\/>He praised the Pope\u2019s compassion for the poor, the oppressed, and victims of violence, adding, \u201cMay His example continue to inspire humanity.\u201d<br\/><br\/>Recently, the Vatican announced that Pope Francis died on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, at the age of\u00a088\u00a0at 7:35 a.m. at his residence in the Vatican's Casa Santa Marta.<br\/><br\/><img src=\"https:\/\/www.rvasia.org\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/max_width_770px\/public\/2025-04\/norodom_sihamoni_king_of_cambodia.png?itok=CNBGiT8Q\" \/><br\/><br\/><img src=\"https:\/\/www.rvasia.org\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/max_width_770px\/public\/2025-04\/hun_manet_pm_of_cambodia.png?itok=qs7d8BFr\" \/><br\/><br\/><img src=\"https:\/\/www.rvasia.org\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/max_width_770px\/public\/2025-04\/hun_sen-presidnet_of_senate_of_cambodia.png?itok=lnjQ7Kzi\" \/><br\/><br\/>Prime Minister Hun Manet also issued a statement of condolence, extending sympathy on behalf of the Royal Government\u00a0and the people\u00a0of Cambodia.<br\/><br\/>He wrote about Pope\u00a0Francis\u2019s\u00a0legacy of compassion and\u00a0his\u00a0advocacy for peace, justice, and care for the vulnerable.<br\/><br\/>\u201cHis moral leadership and commitment to interfaith\u00a0dialogue inspired\u00a0people across the world, including in Cambodia,\u201d the prime minister said. \u201cOur thoughts and prayers are with all those grieving this profound loss,\u201d he added.<br\/><br\/>In a letter addressed to Reverend Sister Raffaella Petrini, President of the Governorate of Vatican City State, Hun Sen conveyed heartfelt condolences on behalf of the Cambodian Senate\u00a0and people. Pope Francis passed on April 21, 2025, at\u00a0the age of\u00a088.<br\/><br\/>\u201cThe departure of Pope Francis is an immense loss of the compassionate and transformative head of the Catholic Church,\u201d Hun Sen wrote. He praised the late Pontiff for dedicating his life to\u00a0the service of\u00a0Jesus\u00a0Christ and for championing\u00a0the causes of the poorest, the marginalized, migrants, the environment, and global peace.<br\/><br\/>Hun Sen commended\u00a0the soul of\u00a0Pope Francis \u201cto the infinite merciful love of the One and Triune\u00a0God,\u201d highlighting\u00a0the Pope\u2019s impact not only on the Church but also on global efforts toward justice, peace, and prosperity.<br\/><br\/>These\u00a0leaders\u00a0recognized Pope Francis\u2019 far-reaching impact and expressed admiration for his efforts to foster unity and understanding across religious and cultural lines.<br\/><br\/>Cambodia is in Southeast Asia and has a population of\u00a0about\u00a016 million people. Most of the population\u00a0practices Buddhism, while 3% are Muslim and 1% are Christian, including around 20,000 Catholics.<br\/><br\/>The Catholic Church in Cambodia is organized into three jurisdictions: the Apostolic Vicariate of Phnom Penh, the Apostolic Prefecture of Battambang, and the Apostolic Prefecture of Kompong\u00a0Cham, comprising\u00a0107 communities and churches.<br\/><br\/><\/div><br\/><\/div><br\/><\/div><br\/><div class=\"field__item\"><br\/><div class=\"paragraph paragraph--type--gallery-slider paragraph--view-mode--default\"><br\/><div class=\"field field--name-field-field-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item\"><br\/><div class=\"media-gallery view-mode-slick\"><\/div><br\/><\/div><br\/><\/div><br\/><\/div>","categories":[{"id":150,"name":"Daily News"}],"tags":[]}