HONG KONG (SE): Following the death of Pope Francis at the age of 88 on April 21, Easter Monday, Cardinal Stephen Chow, S.J., bishop of the of Hong Kong, expressed deep sorrow and longing for the beloved pope on behalf of the diocese and the faithful during a press release issued on the same day.
The statement also noted his commitment to interreligious dialogue, world peace, and reforms within the Holy See, especially regarding women’s participation in decision-making. It also mentioned his visit to Mongolia in September 2023 which drew attention to Vatican-China relations, and his Bull of Indiction, Spes non confundit, proclaiming the Jubilee Year 2025, encouraging the faithful to sustain hope.
Cardinal Stephen and the diocesan curia, went to the Cathedral of Immaculate Conception at 10:00am to pray and mourn the loss of Pope Francis before his image placed in the altar next to the Easter candle. The cardinal along with Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Ha Chi-shing, vicars general Father Peter Choy Wai-man, Father Paul Kam Po-wai, Father Joseph Chan Wing-chiu, chancellor Father Lawrence Lee Len, procurators Father David Chan Kwok-fai and Father Joseph Liu Ah-lun, signed the book of condolence to express their love and respect for the good shepherd of the Church.
The cathedral is open to the public for them to pray and pay their respects to the late pope from 7:00am to 7:00pm [up to 4.00pm on April 26] for the week after his death.
Gigi Mok, a parishioner from Tsing Yi, expressed her shock and sadness upon hearing the unexpected news. She praised Pope Francis for his advocacy of women’s rights in Church leadership and hopes the future pope will continue this progressive approach.
Meanwhile, Elva Ip, a cathedral parishioner, shared her admiration for the pope’s sincerity and kindness, highlighting her own volunteer work in impoverished areas, which aligns with his call for synodality.
The Holy See Press Office announced on the evening of April 21 that Dr. Andrea Arcangeli, the director of the Directorate of Health and Hygiene of the Vatican City State, issued the official certification of Pope Francis’ cause of death, identifying it as a stroke, followed by a coma and irreversible cardiocirculatory collapse.
