The Arakan Rohingya National Organisation is saddened to hear of the passing of Pope Francis, who passed away on April 21, 2025 from complications to his health.
Pope Francis was widely regarded as a progressive world leader who stood up for marginalized people, especially migrants. Pope Francis was a vocal proponent of ensuring protection and rights for the Rohingya people. In August 2017, a few days after the violent purge which captured international attention, Pope Francis stated in his Angelus address, “”I would like to express all of my closeness to them,” and asked pilgrims to pray for “the Lord to save them, to arouse men and women of goodwill to help them, who give them full rights.” In December 2017 Pope Francis would later visit the Bangladesh where he would meet with 16 Rohingya refugees. Pope Francis stated, “It is imperative that the international community take decisive measures to address this grave crisis, not only by working to resolve the political issues that have led to the mass displacement of people, but also by offering immediate material assistance to Bangladesh in its effort to respond effectively to urgent human needs.” Since 2017 Pope Francis continued to champion the cause of Rohingya refugees and after the 2021 coup in Myanmar, he condemned the coup and continued to call for peace in the country.
ARNO expresses its deepest condolences to Catholics around the world who have lost their leader. Our condolences also go out to the Chin people who have witnessed, like the Rohingya, the burning and bombing of their religious sanctuaries. ARNO hopes to continue dialogue with the Vatican and the next Pope on issues relating to the Rohingya and the people of Myanmar, particularly around peace and our peaceful return to the Arakan.
For more information, please contact:
Dr. Mohammad Habib Ullah
Email: arno@rohingya.org/ info@rohingya.org