"You all promised peace and genuine democracy. Democracy was the streak of hope for solving the problems of this once rich country. This time millions voted for democracy. Our people believe in peaceful transfer of power."
Questioning the military's rationale for taking power, the 72-year-old cardinal said: "Allegations of voting irregularities could have been solved by dialogue, in presence of neutral observers. A great opportunity was lost. Many leaders of the world have condemned and will condemn this shocking move."
"Now you promise greater democracy -- after investigation and another election. Myanmar people are tired of empty promises. They will never accept any fake protestation."
"You also promise to hold multiparty elections after one year. How will you gain the trust of our people? They will trust only when words are matched by sincere actions."
Pope Francis visited Burma, a majority Buddhist country, in 2017. He met with Aung San Suu Kyi as well as Min Aung Hlaing, the army general who now leads Burma following the coup.
Speaking during an in-flight press conference after the visit, the pope told reporters: "This general asked me to speak. And I received him. I never close the door. You ask to speak and enter. Speaking you never lose anything, you always win."
"It was a beautiful conversation. I couldn't say because it was private, but I didn't negotiate the truth. But I did it in a way that he understood a bit that the path as it was during the nasty times renewed again today isn't viable. It was a good meeting, civilized and also there the message arrived."
Urging the armed forces not to use violence against the civilian population, Bo said: "Sadly, the elected representatives of our people belonging to NLD are under arrest. So are many writers, activists and youth."
"I urge you, respect their rights and release them at the earliest. They are not prisoners of war; they are prisoners of a democratic process. You promise democracy; start with releasing them."