Rohingya christian community mourns the passing of Pope Francis

The Rohingya Christian Community has extended heartfelt condolences to the Catholic Church and all Christian brothers and sisters around the world following the passing of His Holiness, Pope Francis, according to a press release issued by the community.

"Though we are a small and often forgotten people—dispersed, marginalised, and afflicted—our hearts are united with the universal Church in mourning the loss of a beloved shepherd," the statement read. "Pope Francis was a beacon of hope for the marginalised, a voice for the voiceless, and a living example of humility and compassion, whose witness deeply touched the struggles of humanity."

As a persecuted and displaced community, the Rohingya Christians said they saw in Pope Francis the embodiment of Christ's mercy. His historic meeting with Rohingya refugees during his visit to Bangladesh in 2017 remains, for the community, one of the most moving and unforgettable moments in their collective memory.

"In that encounter, we felt seen, heard, and embraced," the statement concluded.