Cardinal Bo: The Pope made us feel that Myanmar is not forgotten

By Isabella H. de Carvalho

The Pope made us feel that “Myanmar is not forgotten, but always in is prayers,” Cardinal Charles Maung Bo, Archbishop of Yangon and President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Myanmar, told Vatican News on Friday, June 5.

Cardinal Bo and other Burmese bishops were in Rome for their ad limina visits and met with Pope Leo XIV earlier in the day, spending almost 2 hours with him. They spoke about the formation of seminarians and ongoing formation of priests and about the situation in the country and the Church’s response.

The Pope will “continue asking the world not to forget Myanmar, like Pope Francis would say in the past two years: “Non dimenticare il Myanmar” [“Don’t forget Myanmar”]”, Cardinal Bo said.

“We were very happy to meet the Pope and will be renewed and strengthened once we go back home”, he added. 

Pope Leo XIV meets with Cardinal Bo and the other bishops of Myanmar   (@Vatican Media)

Myanmar has been facing a particularly difficult situation since 2021 when a military coup sparked an ongoing civil conflict that has led to the deaths of thousands of people and more than 3 million displaced. Additionally, the country was struck by a devastating earthquake in March 2025, further exacerbating the situation.

“We explained the situation, difficult situation. At the same time, all the people of Myanmar, bishop, priests, religious and the faithful, they are very much having faith, they have resilience,” Cardinal Bo said.

“In spite of the difficult situation, the Church in Myanmar is growing and being strengthened very much.”