The Minister wrote: “Pope Francis was a head of state and a humble, compassionate religious leader, always caring for the poor, striving to build a peaceful, united world. He left a profound and enduring legacy in the hearts of nations and peoples, including Vietnam.

His passing is a tremendous loss for the Universal Church and the Catholic Church in Vietnam.

Vietnam deeply values and acknowledges the teachings of Pope Francis, who encouraged clergy, religious members, and the Catholic faithful in Vietnam to walk alongside the nation, contributing to building a strong, united, and prosperous Vietnam.”

Earlier, on April 23, Minister Dao Ngoc Dung sent condolences to Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle - Prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization, and Cardinal João Bráz de Aviz - Prefect of the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life of the Holy See.

Deputy Minister of Ethnic and Religious Affairs Nguyen Hai Trung also sent condolences to Archbishop Marek Zalewski - Resident Representative of the Holy See in Vietnam, and Archbishop Joseph Nguyen Nang - President of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Vietnam and Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Ho Chi Minh City.

On April 26, Vu Hoai Bac, Head of the Government Committee for Religious Affairs under the Ministry of Ethnic and Religious Affairs, visited the Office of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Vietnam in Ho Chi Minh City to pay respects to Pope Francis.

On behalf of the Government Committee for Religious Affairs, he extended deep condolences to the Catholic community of Vietnam, honoring the affection Pope Francis had for the land and people of Vietnam.

He also conveyed Minister Dao Ngoc Dung’s condolences to clergy, religious members, and the Catholic faithful across Vietnam.

On April 25, Nguyen Tien Trong, Deputy Head of the Government Committee for Religious Affairs, led a delegation to pay tribute to Pope Francis at St. Joseph's Cathedral in Hanoi.

Duc Thanh (Government Committee for Religious Affairs)