Bangladesh expresses condolences on death of Pope Francis

The interim government of Bangladesh has expressed its deepest sorrow and heartfelt condolences on the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis. 

Bangladesh mourns the loss of a great spiritual leader, and Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus condoles the passing of a true friend and kindred spirit, reads a statement from the CA's Press Wing. 

"Pope Francis was a towering figure of moral clarity, humility, and compassion in our time. His lifelong dedication to justice, peace, and the dignity of every human being resonated far beyond the Catholic world. His leadership, rooted in the values of fraternity and service, inspired global efforts to uplift the poor, protect the vulnerable, and build a more humane and peaceful world," reads the statement.

"His Holiness shared a profound connection with Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus. His Holiness and Professor Yunus worked closely together to foster their shared values of peace, human dignity and environmental stewardship." 

Pope Francis's 2020 encyclical, Fratelli Tutti, called for universal fraternity, social friendship, and a commitment to the dignity of every person. Yunus played a central role in drafting and finalising the "Declaration of Human Fraternity," which was presented to Pope Francis and publicly announced at St Peter's Square in June 2023 and co-signed with the Cardinal Secretary State Pietro Parolin. He chaired the committee responsible for finalising the declaration and reading and the document. 

In May 2024, Yunus was a keynote speaker at the 2nd World Meeting on Human Fraternity, organised by the Fratelli Tutti Foundation in Rome and attended by Pope Francis at Vatican City. Participants called for immediate ceasefires in conflict zones, humanitarian aid, and a renewed commitment to peace as the foundation of human coexistence. Their joint declarations highlight that peace is not merely the absence of war but the presence of social justice, gender equality, and care for the natural world.

In November 2024, Yunus and Pope Francis jointly launched the "Pope Francis Yunus 3 Zero Club" in Rome. This initiative aims to mobilise youth—especially from marginalised communities—to work toward zero poverty, zero unemployment, and zero net carbon emissions, further cementing the two leaders' collaboration. 

"We honour the memory of Pope Francis with deep respect and gratitude. May his soul rest in eternal peace, and may his legacy continue to inspire generations to come," the statement concludes.