Yunus mourns the death of Pope Francis, recounts past experiences together

In the condolence message, the chief advisor has also referred to the pope’s visit to Bangladesh in 2017

Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus has expressed deep sorrow and condolences following the death of Pope Francis.

In a message issued on Monday, Yunus said: “With his passing, we witness the end of a papal era that was imbued with a deep commitment to human dignity, interfaith harmony, and justice for the marginalised.”

“His leadership transcended religious boundaries and inspired millions to work toward a more inclusive, tolerant, and compassionate world,” he added.

Yunus noted, “I feel honoured to have met Pope Francis on several occasions and to have worked closely with him in the struggle for peace, human dignity, and environmental protection.”

Pope Francis, the first Latin American leader of the Roman Catholic Church, passed away on Monday morning.

He had previously been hospitalised for five weeks with pneumonia.

The 88-year-old religious figure had been serving as Bishop of Rome and the head of the global Catholic Church, as well as the sovereign of Vatican City. He visited Bangladesh in 2017.

Recalling that visit, the chief advisor said: “With Pope Francis’s passing, the people of Bangladesh join the global community in mourning, including those who were honoured by his presence during the 2017 visit.”

“In this time of sorrow, we stand in solidarity with the Catholic Church and all those of the Catholic faith. We also remember the profound influence of his teachings and his compassion toward all people.”

Yunus concluded by saying, “May his departed soul rest in eternal peace. Let us continue to honour his vision of a united world built on kindness and humanity.”