Caritas Asia, the social development agency of the Catholic Church, mourns the death of Pope Francis.
“Caritas Asia, with its member organizations, stakeholders, well-wishers, and communities, mourns for the death of our loving Holy Father—POPE FRANCIS. ” We join the world community in mourning and prayer,” said a statement.
Francis died on April 21, 2025, at the age of 88 after 12 years of reign. He is the first Jesuit pope and the first from Latin America.
“The world stands in shock and awe at the sudden passing of our Holy Father, Pope Francis, a leader whose presence radiated compassion, courage, unwavering hope, and faith,” a Caritas Asia press note said.
“His death has left a profound void in the hearts of millions across the world; people of all faiths and walks of life who were touched by his authenticity, his relentless pursuit of peace, and his deep love for humanity and the creation,” he reads.
“In a time marked by division due to greed for power, fame, and uncertainty, he was a cementing force of unity and hope. As we mourn this immense loss, we also remember the life and light he shared — a light that will continue to guide us in our journey toward justice, mercy, hope, and care for our common home,” the statement added.
For the Asia region, he left a fresh impression with his recent trip to the region in 2024—Indonesia, East Timor, Papua New Guinea, and Singapore.
“Your footprints are fresh and reminding us to follow your footsteps, Holy Father,” the press note said.
“We joined our hands in gratitude and prayer for his great leadership: God our loving father, we thank you for the life and leadership of his faithful servant, who led his flocks with authenticity, honesty, and a heart full of grace and compassion,” he added. “Blessed with charisma, vision, and empathy, he strove for peace and harmony, embracing all people and all creation with deep care. May his legacy inspire us to serve selflessly, to build an inclusive world, and to continue to follow in his footsteps of caring for all and our common home.”
Caritas Asia is a pan-Asian nonprofit organization and one of the seven regions of the global Caritas Internationalis confederation.
Caritas Asia has its regional secretariat based in Bangkok and its network with 25 member organizations.
Radio Veritas Asia (RVA), a media platform of the Catholic Church, aims to share Christ. RVA started in 1969 as a continental Catholic radio station to serve Asian countries in their respective local language, thus earning the tag “the Voice of Asian Christianity.” Responding to the emerging context, RVA embraced media platforms to connect with the global Asian audience via its 21 language websites and various social media platforms.
Latest News
