Vatican City, Oct 14, 2016 / 09:21 am
Friday Pope Francis expressed his sorrow to learn of the death of the King of Thailand Bhumibol Adulyadej, who died Thursday at a hospital in Bangkok.
"I was deeply saddened to learn of the death of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej, and I extend my heartfelt condolences to the Members of the Royal Family and to all the people of the Kingdom at this sorrowful time," the Pope's letter to the Prime Minister of Thailand Prayut Chan-o-cha read.
King Bhumibol Adulyadej, 88, reigned over the Kingdom of Thailand since 1946 and was the longest-reigning living monarch in the world at the time of his death. He is also the longest-reigning monarch in Thai history.
"I pray that, as a fitting tribute to the late King's legacy of wisdom, strength and fidelity, all Thais may work together to further the path of peace, and I willingly invoke upon all who mourn his passing the consolation of divine blessings," the Pope's letter stated.