Vietnam premier sends condolences to Vatican over Pope Francis’s passing

The message of condolence was sent the same day to Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State of the Holy See.

Chinh’s deputy Bui Thanh Son, who concurrently serves as Minister of Foreign Affairs, also conveyed a message to Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, the Vatican's Secretary for Relations with States and International Organizations.

Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, died at his residence in the Vatican’s Casa Santa Marta at the age of 88, following a stroke and irreversible heart failure, as confirmed by the Vatican's health services director.

Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church, announced the death of Pope Francis from Casa Santa Marta at 9:45 am on Monday (Vatican time), Vatican News reported.

Just a day before his death, Pope Francis had appeared at Easter Mass and met with U.S. Vice President JD Vance.

Throughout his 12-year papacy, he faced numerous health challenges, including bronchiectasis, arterial hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and pneumonia, according to The Guardian.

Despite these ailments, he remained committed to his duties until the very end.

The ceremony for certifying the death and placing the body in the coffin took place on Monday at 8:00 pm in the chapel on the ground floor of the late pope’s residence at Casa Santa Marta.

The first General Congregation of Cardinals has been scheduled for Tuesday morning, during which a date for the funeral may be set.

Pope Francis and Vietnam

During his papacy, Pope Francis met with several Vietnamese leaders at the Vatican, including two State Presidents, a National Assembly Chairman, and a Standing Deputy Prime Minister.

In his most recent meeting with Vietnamese leaders in July 2023, he expressed a desire to strengthen relations between the Holy See and Vietnam and encouraged the Vietnamese Catholic community to continue contributing positively to the development of the nation and the Church.

March 13, 2013 marked a historic moment when he, then a cardinal, was elected as the 266th pope of the Catholic Church. 

He was the first Jesuit pope, the first from Latin America, and the first non-European pope in over a millennium.

Taking the name Francis in honor of Saint Francis of Assisi, he championed themes of poverty, peace, and care for creation throughout his pontificate.

From the very beginning of his papacy, he drew attention with his humble lifestyle and powerful messages of mercy and humility. 

He was also noted for frequently speaking out on urgent global issues, from the war in Ukraine to artificial intelligence and climate change.

He consistently called on the Church to ‘go out of itself’ to reach the poor, emphasizing forgiveness, accompaniment, and love.