Even though Pope Francis has previously called his followers to pray for “Rohingya brethren” after the first reports on Rohingya crisis surfaced, he has been advised by Myanmar clergy not to utter the word “Rohingya” during his official visit to the country.
Yangon Archbishop Cardinal Charles Maung Bo urged the pope to avoid the word “Rohingya” – adding that the term is not recognized by the country’s leader Aung San Suu Kyi, the military generals and the people.
However, human rights groups think Francis should use the term to “show solidarity with a group that Myanmar has denied citizenship and methodically stripped of basic rights, including the freedom to move, work and marry,” reports Los Angeles Times.
They asked the pope to use the term both in his public sermons and private meetings with Suu Kyi and the commander of the military, General Min Aung Hlaing.
Francis said in a video message that he wished to visit Myanmar “in a spirit of respect and encouragement for every effort to build harmony and cooperation in the service of the common good.”
In August, he addressed a gathering of pilgrims at Vatican City’s St Peter’s Square and asked them pray for the safety of the minority group.
Phil Robertson, deputy director of Human Rights Watch's Asia division, said the pope should use the word “Rohingya” publicly because the people have “very little left besides their identity.”
He said the dispossession the Rohingya faced has solidified their identity and “that self-identification is very important.”
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Myanmar Catholic leaders has reportedly said they hoped the pope would highlight “the country’s progress and preach reconciliation with an array of ethnic minorities agitating for greater rights in Myanmar,” not only the Rohingya.
Francis has overtly spoken about issues of human rights in the past which is why he has won the hearts of people of all religions.
In the wake of the crisis which has escalated over the last few months and left over 620,000 Rohingyas displaced and “dispossessed” due to the heinous Myanmar military operation, the world is hopeful to see what the pope’s visit to both Myanmar and Bangladesh bring.
Many of the pope’s advisors also voiced their concern over the use of the word “Rohingya”— lest that bring about a diplomatic incident that could turn Myanmar against its other minority, the Christians.
The pope is scheduled to stay in Myanmar from November 27 to November 30, and in Bangladesh from November 30 to December 2.
While in Bangladesh, he will meet Rohingya refugees, and in Myanmar, he plans to meet Senior General Min Aung Hlaing and Aung San Suu Kyi separately.
Thursday, June 04, 2026
