Pope Francis receives condolences from Prime Minister following demise
Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra pops by the Apostolic Nunciature of Thailand, the local digs for the Vatican, yesterday to pen a heartfelt message in the book of condolences for the late Pope Francis.
The Pope kick the bucket in his 88th year on April 21 in Vatican City, with a funeral mass held at the famous St Peter's Basilica in Rome on the 26th.
Paetongtarn wasn't alone in paying her respects. Paolo Dionisi, the Italian ambassador to Thailand, and Dr Somsak Leeswadtrakul, a prominent Thai business tycoon and philanthropist, were also in attendance. In fact, Dr Leeswadtrakul has been bestowed one of the Catholic Church's highest honors for laypersons, the Knights Grand Cross of the Pontifical Order of St Gregory the Great.
Prior to her visit to the Vatican embassy, Paetongtarn shared her sympathy on social media, saying:
"I offer my deepest condolences to the people of the world on the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis. His boundless compassion, courage, humility, and unwavering commitment to peace have touched the hearts of millions worldwide. Thailand joins the global community in mourning the loss of a true hero of humanity. May His Holiness rest in eternal peace."
Now, if we dig a little deeper, we find that Bishop Frank J. Dewane of the Diocese of Venice presided over a commemorative Mass and signed the very same book that Paetongtarn visited[4]. Additionally, clergy and parishioners across multiple dioceses penned their own messages, including those in New York, the National Shrine in Washington, D.C., and Ireland, though not all names are provided[1][2][3]. Last but not least, Gareth Ward, a Member for Kiama in Australia, organized a local condolence book, but no dignitaries are listed as having attended[5].
All in all, there doesn't seem to be much online about who else signed the book of condolences, so official government or Vatican communications would likely be the best sources for up-to-date information on this matter.
- Dr Somsak Leeswadtrakul, a renowned Thai business tycoon and philanthropist who was bestowed one of the Catholic Church's highest honors for laypersons, the Knights Grand Cross of the Pontifical Order of St Gregory the Great, also paid his respects at the book of condolences for the late Pope Francis.
- The pontifical, Knights Grand Cross of the Pontifical Order of St Gregory the Great, was conferred upon Dr Somsak Leeswadtrakul, a prominent Thai figure, for his significant contributions to the Catholic Church.
- Apart from the Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, other notable figures such as Italian ambassador Paolo Dionisi, Dr Somsak Leeswadtrakul, and others paid their condolences by signing the book of condolences for the late Pope Francis.
