The Eucharistic Celebration for the repose of the Soul of His Holiness Pope Francis took place in St Mary’s Cathedral in Yangon, Myanmar, on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, at 5:00 PM MST.

His Eminence Charles Cardinal Bo, together with the Auxiliary Bishops of Yangon Archdiocese, Msgr. Andrea Ferrante and Bishop Lucius Hre Kung of the Hakha Diocese, priests, joined the Eucharistic celebration with the participation of a large number of the faithful.

Pope Francis visited different parts of the planet 47 times, including Myanmar in November 2017.

He created Cardinals in all parts of the Church, including His Eminence Charles Cardinal Bo from Myanmar.

In his homily, Msgr. Andrea said that as waiting for the resurrection, Pope Francis willed for his mortal body to be laid in the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome.

The reason is that he entrusted his entire priesthood and his whole life to Mother Mary according to his last will, continued Msgr. Andrea.  

Msgr. Andrea highlighted, “We are to thank God for having given us Pope Francis at this time. Pope blessed us with Easter blessing and went to His Heavenly Home.”

Christ has brought to us the beauty of new life, which is reflected in the life of Pope Francis.

In the whole life of Pope Francis, his teachings and his exemplary way of life show us the value of the Gospel, the unity among the people, the value of dialogue, culture, and encourage us to walk along the way of unity, to cooperate among the countries, to strive for peace, Msgr. Andrea added.

The Pope always valued the simplicity, humility, and love for the last and the least, and he encouraged Christians and non-Christians to find the way of Christ.

Msgr. Andrea said that he witnessed the love of Pope Francis for God based on the rock of God’s Love and His real human nature at the time he was elected as Pope.

Pope Francis was chosen on March 13, 2013, to be the 266^th Head of the Catholic Church and has left a profound memory on the Church and the World during his 12-year pontificate.

Pope Francis had created the Cardinals 10 times during the Years 2014 to 2024. 

He himself lived a life of compassion and joy. The experience of mercy and compassion brings joy.

In order to defeat war, the Pope warned repeatedly that we are to conquer hatred and differences among the people through reconciliation and changes, continued Msgr. Andrea.

The Pope believed that diplomatic relations are very important. The Pope always encouraged to value of peace and to help free the countries that suffer from violence. He asked to stop the armed conflicts and find diplomatic ways for peace many times.

He encouraged brotherly love in his encyclical “Fratelli Tutti”.

In the Easter Message of Pope Francis, Urbi et Orbi, which means to the City of Rome and to the World, the Pope said that God knows the cry in silence of our brothers and sisters, especially those who are experiencing different difficulties and hardships.

“The resurrection of our Lord is the foundation of our hope. The pope invites us to have new hope. The reminder of the Holy Father is to remember Myanmar and to support and care for the Nation as its citizens have been experiencing the conflicts,” the message read.

Holy Father urged to help and support those who survived the strong Earthquake in his Easter Message. He thanked all those who assisted and supported the civilians and asked for the end of armed conflicts in Myanmar.

All the properties used by Pope Francis in 2017 when he visited Myanmar are shown to the public for paying homage.

Books were placed at the entrance of St. Mary’s Cathedral for the faithful to drop their signatures in memory of Pope Francis.

The books for the signatures were to be available for a week.

Some Ambassadors took part in the occasion.

By Fr. Saw Hubert