AKP Phnom Penh, April 24, 2025 --

The Apostolic Vicariate of Phnom Penh has announced the opening of a memorial room at the Pastoral Centre Catholic Church in Phnom Penh Thmey to honour late His Holiness Pope Francis, the Sovereign Pontiff of the Universal Church.

The memorial room will be opened on April 24, from 2pm to 5pm and on April 25, from 8am to 5pm, said the source, stressing that this sacred space offers an opportunity for quiet reflection, prayer, and tribute to the enduring legacy of His Holiness Pope Francis.

A Pontifical Requiem Mass will be celebrated by H.E. Bishop Olivier Schmitthausler, Apostolic Vicar of Phnom Penh, on April 26, at 9:30 AM at Phnom Penh Pastoral Centre of Catholic Church. “All are cordially invited to participate in this solemn liturgy, as we gather in faith to commemorate Pope Francis and seek God’s guidance for the Church in this time of transition, sustained by the Paschal hope of Christ’s victory over death,” H.E. Bishop Olivier Schmitthausler said.

His Holiness Pope Francis passed away on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025 by stroke, followed a coma and irreversible cardiocirculatory collapse.

“His life of exemplary humility, boundless compassion, and unwavering commitment to the Gospel has left an indelible legacy, inspiring faith and hope across the world. In the radiant light of the Paschal Mystery, we commend his soul to the infinite mercy of our Risen Lord, trusting in the promise of eternal life and the joy of the resurrection,” underlined H.E. Bishop Schmitthaeusler.

The Apostolic Vicariate extends this solemn message to His Majesty the King and the Royal Palace, the esteemed leadership of the various ministries of the Royal Government of Cambodia, the distinguished diplomatic delegations accredited to the Kingdom, and the revered Buddhist leadership of Cambodia and religious leaders, he added.

His Holiness Pope Francis is a statemen whose tireless advocacy for peace, dialogue, and human dignity resonated universally, reflecting the Paschal hope of renewal and reconciliation.

By Heng Panha