In a remarkable gesture of interreligious solidarity, Dr. Yon Seng Yeath, the highest representative of Samdech Preah Agga Maha Sangharajadhipati Nun Nget, the Great Supreme Patriarch of the Kingdom of Cambodia, led a delegation of 42 Buddhist monks to offer prayers for the late Pope Francis at the Phnom Penh Vicariate Pastoral Center.
The delegation was warmly received by Bishop Olivier Schmitthaeusler, Apostolic Vicar of Phnom Penh, during the interfaith tribute held on the afternoon of May 4.
Dr. Yon Seng Yeath, who also serves as Rector of Preah Sihanouk Raja Buddhist University, Vice-President of the Cambodian Sangha Secretariat, and Vice-Head of the Phnom Penh Buddhist Governor, presented a letter of condolence on behalf of the Great Supreme Patriarch and the Buddhist community in Cambodia.
In his remarks, Dr. Yon Seng Yeath emphasized the longstanding friendship between Buddhism and the Catholic Church, recalling the spiritual ties cultivated over the years by the late Great Supreme Patriarch Tep Vong and Popes John Paul II, Benedict XVI, and Francis.
“We extend our deepest condolences to the entire Catholic community for the loss of the beloved Pope,” he said, speaking on behalf of the Buddhist faithful and the university community.
He expressed gratitude for the opportunity to offer prayers and chants for the late Pope, adding, “May His Holiness rest in peace in heaven with God.”
He also expressed hope that Buddhism and the Catholic Church would continue walking together “for the good and well-being of humanity and the world.”
Bishop Olivier echoed those sentiments, praising Pope Francis’ commitment to fostering interfaith harmony. “Christians, Buddhists, and Muslims—all should have the opportunity to journey together,” he said.
He recalled that the late Great Supreme Patriarch Tep Vong had also attended his episcopal ordination, a symbol of the deep and enduring interreligious ties in Cambodia.
Since April 24, the Catholic Church in the Phnom Penh Vicariate has been holding memorial prayers for Pope Francis.
The services have seen participation from the Ministry of Cults and Religion, senior government officials, foreign diplomats, Islamic and Protestant leaders, Catholic NGOs, and parishioners from across the vicariate.
Bishop Olivier concluded the ceremony by noting that a new Pope would soon be elected by the College of Cardinals, which currently includes 133 cardinals under 80.
Pope Francis, the 266th successor of Saint Peter, died in Rome on April 21, 2025, at 88. - Kagnha Keo, RVA Khmer
Radio Veritas Asia (RVA), a media platform of the Catholic Church, aims to share Christ. RVA started in 1969 as a continental Catholic radio station to serve Asian countries in their respective local language, thus earning the tag “the Voice of Asian Christianity.” Responding to the emerging context, RVA embraced media platforms to connect with the global Asian audience via its 21 language websites and various social media platforms.
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