VATICAN – Prime Minister’s Office Minister Chusak Sirinil, representing the Thai Government, has attended the funeral ceremony of His Holiness Pope Francis at St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City. He was joined by Pannabha Chandraramya, Thailand’s incoming Ambassador to the Vatican City State, and Thanet Kittithanesuan, Secretary to the Prime Minister’s Office Minister. Tachasit. Prasittirat, Chargé d’Affaires of the Royal Thai Embassy to the Vatican City, also participated as part of the diplomatic corps.
Upon arrival at St. Peter’s Basilica, the Thai delegation met with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State of the Holy See during Pope Francis’s tenure. The funeral service on April 26 began at 10:00 a.m. and lasted just over two hours, with Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals, presiding over the rites.
The ceremony began with the transfer of the Papal coffin from inside the basilica to the front of St. Peter’s Basilica, followed by prayers conducted in Latin and several other major languages. Following the religious service, the body of Pope Francis was transferred for burial at the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome.
Representatives from over 150 countries and international organizations attended the ceremony, including members of royalty, heads of state, and senior government officials. More than 200,000 people gathered at the square to pay their final respects.
