Vatican City: The special representative of the Thai government joined in paying respects and expressing condolences at the funeral ceremony of Pope Francis in Vatican City, which was held with full honor on Saturday, April 26, 2025.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Jirayu Huangsap, spokesman for the Prime Minister’s Office, revealed that Mr. Chusak Sirinil, Minister to the Prime Minister’s Office, attended the funeral ceremony of His Holiness Pope Francis, Head of the Roman Catholic Church and Vatican City State. The ceremony was conducted at St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican City, at 10:00 a.m. local time.
Mr. Chusak Sirinil, along with Ms. Pannapa Chanthararom, Ambassador to the Vatican City State, and Mr. Thanet Kittithanesuan, Secretary to the Minister Attached to the Prime Minister’s Office, were present at the event held in St. Peter’s Square. Mr. Thatchasit Prasitrat, Deputy Chief of Mission to the Vatican City State, joined the diplomatic corps in attendance.
Upon their arrival at St. Peter’s Basilica, the Thai delegation met with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary-General of the Apostolic See during the reign of Pope Francis. The funeral, presided over by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, President of the World Cardinals, began with the coffin being moved from St. Peter’s Basilica to the plaza for the funeral rites.
The ceremony, which lasted until 12:10 p.m., included religious rites with prayers in Latin and other languages, in accordance with the Pope’s wishes for simplicity and public participation. The body was later moved to be buried in the Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica in Rome.
The event was attended by representatives from more than 150 countries and international organizations, among them many royals, heads of state, and senior government officials. Dignitaries included the King and Queen of Spain, the Prince of Wales, and the presidents and prime ministers of several countries.
Pope Francis, the 266th Pope, passed away on April 21, 2025, at the age of 88, in his residence in Vatican City State. Known as the Pope of the Poor, he was a respected religious leader dedicated to peace and compassion. His final public blessing was given on April 20, 2025.
During his previous visits, Pope Francis had met with Thai leaders, leaving a lasting memory. On his passing, Ms. Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Prime Minister of Thailand, sent a condolence message to the College of Cardinals, highlighting the Pope’s legacy of compassion and peace.
The Thai delegation’s visit to Vatican City also included a meeting with Cardinal Francis Xavier Kriangsak Kovitvanich. The delegation was formally received and escorted by Vatican representatives throughout their mission.