Pope Francis mourns former President of Vietnam

By Deborah Castellano Lubov

Pope Francis has expressed his condolences on the death of Nguyễn Phu Trọng, general secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam and former president of the country.

In a telegram sent on his behalf by the Secretary of State of the Holy See, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, to the country’s current president, General To Lam, the Holy Father expressed his closeness to all those mourning the long-time leader of the Asian country, who died at the age of 80 last week, after battling an illness.

“Having learned of the death of His Excellency Nguyễn Phú Trong, General Secretary of the Communist Party and former President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam,” the telegram began, “His Holiness Pope Francis extends his condolences to all those who mourn his loss, especially his family, as well as the assurance of his prayers for their consolation and peace.”

In the text, the Holy Father expressed his “special gratitude” for the role played by the late president “in promoting and fostering the positive development of relations between Vietnam and the Holy See.”

Pope Francis concluded his message by affirming his spiritual closeness to President Tô Lâm and to all his fellow citizens at this time of mourning for the nation.