A delegation of 21 representatives from the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Myanmar (CBCM), comprising one cardinal, 18 bishops, one priest, and one priest delegate, has begun its Ad Limina Apostolorum visit to the Vatican from May 30 to June 7, 2026.

The delegation is led by His Eminence Cardinal Charles Bo and includes archbishops and bishops from dioceses across Myanmar. Rev. Fr. Paul Aung Myint Win, OP, serves as the coordinator for transportation in Rome.

The bishops traveled to Rome in two groups, with the first group of five bishops departing Yangon on May 27 and the second group of 14 bishops and one priest departing on May 29. Upon arrival, the delegation was accommodated at Domus Sanctae Marthae within Vatican City.

The official program commenced on May 30 with the celebration of Holy Mass at Domus Sanctae Marthae. On the same evening, Cardinal Charles Bo and several members of the delegation attended a dinner hosted by the International Centre of the Communion and Liberation Movement.

On May 31, the bishops gathered for a spiritual recollection at the House of Opera Della Chiesa. Cardinal Charles Bo presided over the Eucharistic celebration and delivered the homily.

Throughout the week, the Myanmar bishops are scheduled to meet with various dicasteries and institutions of the Holy See. The meetings include the Dicastery for the Clergy, the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints, the Dicastery for Culture and Education, the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity, and the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue.

Additional visits are scheduled with the Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life, the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, and the General Secretariat of the Synod. The bishops will also visit Caritas Internationalis, the Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, the Dicastery for Evangelization, and the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors and Vulnerable Adults.

As part of their pilgrimage, the bishops are celebrating Holy Mass in the four major papal basilicas of Rome. Eucharistic celebrations are scheduled at the Basilica of St. John Lateran, the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls, the Basilica of St. Mary Major, and St. Peter’s Basilica. Different members of the delegation serve as principal celebrants and homilists during these liturgical celebrations.

The delegation is also expected to visit the Bishops’ Conference of Italy and the Community of Sant’Egidio, where they will participate in prayer and dialogue on the Church’s mission and peacebuilding initiatives.

A highlight of the visit will be the anticipated audience with the Holy Father on June 5, subject to confirmation by the Vatican.

Before concluding their visit, Cardinal Charles Bo will preside at a Holy Mass on June 6 at the Parish of Nostra Signora di Czestochowa in Rome, at the invitation of Rev. Fr. Stephen Tang Gun, M.F., parish priest. The Ad Limina Apostolorum visit, traditionally undertaken by diocesan bishops every five years, provides an opportunity for bishops to pray at the tombs of Saints Peter and Paul, report on the pastoral life of their dioceses, and strengthen communion with the Successor of Peter and the universal Church.

By RVA Sgaw Karen Service