Catholics in Phnom Penh joined millions of others around the world in mourning the death of Pope John Paul II on Sunday.
“For us and the other followers, we feel very sorry for his death,” said Chan Kim Khy outside the Catholic Church of Phnom Penh. “Everyone respected him.”
The Pope died early Sunday morning in Rome from septic shock and heart and breathing problems. He was 84.
Bishop Emile Destombes said a special mass is being planned for 9 pm Thursday at the Cambodian Catholic Cultural Center.
Reverend Bob Piche, parish priest at the Catholic Church of Phnom Penh, said invitations will be sent to the country’s two top Buddhist monks and Minister of Cults and Religions Khun Haing.
While the Pope never visited Cambodia during his tenure, Piche said his messages to churches around the world were often translated and shared with the 25,000 Catholics in Cambodia, so they would know what the church was doing.
Parishioner Teo Tham said he was watching television when he learned the Pope died.
“I saw a lot of people crying and I wanted to cry too,” the 20-year-old said. “The Pope was a very good man because he taught us to respect older people and care for the poor.”
However, parishioners were optimistic about the pontiff’s successor.
“I hope the new Pope will be as good as the old one,” Teo Tham said. “If so, everything will be fine.”
Chhoeung Bunchhea, Cabinet chief for Mohanikaya sect’s Supreme Patriarch Tep Vong, said the chief monk expressed condolences over Pope John Paul II’s death.
“He was a great spiritual leader,” Chhoeung Bunchhea said Sunday. “He tried his best to find peace for human beings without discrimination against any race.”
