In a heartfelt reflection following the death of Pope Francis, Cardinal Charles Maung Bo of Myanmar offered a moving tribute, recalling the late pontiff as a "loving and compassionate shepherd" who embraced Asia with profound respect and affection, and whose concern for Myanmar never wavered—even in his final days.

In an exclusive interview with Vatican News, Cardinal Bo, the first Cardinal from Myanmar and former President of the Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences, remembered Pope Francis as a leader who consistently reached beyond the walls of power and prestige, choosing instead to dwell among the wounded, the overlooked, and the forgotten.

“Pope Francis was not content with comfort or convenience,” Cardinal Bo said. “He chose to walk with the broken. His voice became our echo, his heart beat with our grief, and his presence brought healing.”

The late pontiff’s 2017 visit to Myanmar, despite diplomatic headwinds and complex internal strife, marked a historic moment. “He came when many advised him not to,” Bo said. “In doing so, he illuminated the suffering of our people. He didn’t just visit Myanmar—he embraced us.”

That embrace, Cardinal Bo recalled, extended long after the visit. Pope Francis mentioned Myanmar in his prayers and public addresses more than nine times, offered humanitarian assistance following natural disasters, and remained an unwavering advocate for peace amid the country’s ongoing conflict and humanitarian crises.

As of April 19, Myanmar continues to grapple with the aftermath of a devastating 7.7-magnitude earthquake that claimed over 3,700 lives and injured more than 5,100. Yet even amid his own health decline, Pope Francis responded with compassion and tangible support.

“In the twilight of his life, when many would have sought rest, he bore the cross of global suffering—Myanmar’s included,” Cardinal Bo said. “His solidarity with us in those final moments is etched into our nation’s soul.”


Reflecting on the broader legacy of Pope Francis, Cardinal Bo described him as a radical disciple of Jesus—a man who re-centered the Church on its Gospel roots, proclaiming mercy and justice in a world increasingly numb to suffering.

“He restored the Church to the margins,” Bo said. “Not just in word, but in deed. His papacy was a living parable—a witness to a Church that belongs with the people, especially the most vulnerable.”

Pope Francis, he added, held a unique vision for Asia. “He believed that Christ would return to Asia through the embrace of its people. He saw in our cultures not obstacles, but bridges—pathways for the Gospel to flourish in harmony with tradition and diversity.”

As the world grieves, Cardinal Bo offered words of hope drawn from the Pope’s own teachings. “Francis reminded us that life is relationship. Our mourning is not weakness—it is a tribute to the bonds he built. And now he urges us: ‘Go forward. Lift up the suffering. Be tender. Be bold. Build the world we dreamed of together.’”
The late Pope’s writings—Evangelii Gaudium, Fratelli Tutti, and Laudato Si’—serve as blueprints for the path ahead, Cardinal Bo said, capturing his vision of joy, fraternity, and environmental stewardship.

“Francis made room in his heart for those the world cast aside,” the Cardinal concluded. “And so the sorrow we feel is the price of great love. But in that sorrow, there is also a call—a mission—to carry on the work he began.”

Pope Francis died on April 21, 2025, leaving behind a Church forever shaped by his message of radical love and enduring solidarity.