Thailand has joined the international outpouring of grief following the death of Pope Francis, as world leaders, religious figures, and ordinary citizens pay tribute to a pontiff widely seen as a moral compass of the era.
Flags are flying at half-staff across the country, condolence books have been opened in Catholic churches, and prayers are being offered in both sanctuaries and temples.
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Thailand (CBCT) has called for daily Masses in memory of the late pope until May 4, urging the faithful to pray for his soul and for the guidance of the Holy Spirit as the Church prepares for the papal conclave.
On May 2, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra visited the Apostolic Nunciature in Bangkok to sign the condolence book. In a statement shared on social media, she expressed both sorrow and admiration for the pope.
“On behalf of the people of Thailand, I extend my profound sorrow and deepest condolences on the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis,” she wrote. “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. May His Holiness rest in eternal peace.”
Earlier in the week, Thailand’s Buddhist community paid tribute through interfaith gestures. On April 29, monks held a memorial service at Wat Phra Chetuphon (Wat Pho), a historic royal temple known for its Reclining Buddha. The event underscored the spiritual ties between Thai Buddhism and the Catholic Church.
At Wat Mangkon Kamalawat, Bangkok’s largest Chinese Buddhist temple, dozens of monks and novices gathered to chant prayers in Chinese for the repose of Pope Francis’s soul. The tribute highlighted the depth of respect shared between faiths.
Religious leaders around the world have echoed similar sentiments, recalling Pope Francis’s legacy of mercy, justice, and unity. His commitment to interreligious dialogue, outreach to the marginalized, and personal humility left a deep impact across communities and nations.
As cardinals—including one from Thailand—prepare to gather in Rome for the conclave opening on May 7, the CBCT has invited parishes, religious houses, and lay faithful to maintain a vigil of prayer.
The bishops urged Catholics not only to remember the late pope but to seek the Holy Spirit’s guidance in choosing his successor.
Pope Francis’s legacy, the CBCT noted, continues to live on—in the hearts of believers, in the prayers of other faiths, and in the shared commitment to the values he championed.
