The Pope's Offer to Aung San Suu Kyi

Pope Francis is offering a safe haven in the Vatican State for Myanmar's imprisoned political leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

» Published: Tue 24 Sept 2024 13:53 CEST

The Pope's Offer to Aung San Suu Kyi
Photo: Sakchai Lalit/AP/TT

Share this article

The 78-year-old Aung San Suu Kyi has been sentenced to 27 years in prison by the military junta that overthrew the country's democratically elected leadership in 2021 and has since persecuted all opposition.

Now, Pope Francis is intervening in Myanmar's totalitarian development.

"I have asked for Aung San Suu Kyi to be released and I have met her son in Rome. I have suggested that the Vatican provide her with protection on our territory," says the Pope according to a report from a meeting with Jesuits in Asia. The Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera has recounted the private conversations that took place at the beginning of September in Indonesia, East Timor, and Singapore.

"We cannot continue to remain silent about the situation in Myanmar today. We must do something," said the Pope according to the report.

The military junta in Myanmar has not commented on the Pope's statement, despite a direct question from the AFP news agency.

Aung San Suu Kyi was under house arrest for many years under the then totalitarian military regime in Myanmar. She was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1991 for her efforts towards a peaceful and democratic change in the country. She was released from her house arrest in 2010 and went on to lead the democratically governed Myanmar until the military coup.

However, Aung San Suu Kyi was also heavily criticized in 2017 for how the government in Myanmar, under her leadership, failed to stop the persecution of the Muslim minority group Rohingya.

Aung San Suu Kyi's health is reported to be deteriorating in captivity.

Tags

Author

TTT
By TTEnglish edition by Sweden Herald, adapted for local and international readers

More news

Poland Engages Russian Drones Violating Airspace
1 MIN READ

Poland Engages Russian Drones Violating Airspace

Greta Thunberg's Convoy Attacked by Suspected Drone for Second Night
2 MIN READ

Greta Thunberg's Convoy Attacked by Suspected Drone for Second Night

Two Judges Find Bolsonaro Guilty in Coup Attempt Trial
1 MIN READ

Two Judges Find Bolsonaro Guilty in Coup Attempt Trial

Israeli Airstrike in Doha Targets Hamas Leadership; Conflicting Reports on Casualties
2 MIN READ

Israeli Airstrike in Doha Targets Hamas Leadership; Conflicting Reports on Casualties

Hamas Takes Responsibility for Jerusalem Bus Station Attack
1 MIN READ

Hamas Takes Responsibility for Jerusalem Bus Station Attack

Ethiopia's New Dam Powers Electric Car Transition
3 MIN READ

Ethiopia's New Dam Powers Electric Car Transition

Drone Attack on Gaza-Bound Ship Sparks Fire, Crew Alleges
2 MIN READ

Drone Attack on Gaza-Bound Ship Sparks Fire, Crew Alleges

60 Killed in Nighttime Attack by ADF Rebels in Eastern Congo
1 MIN READ

60 Killed in Nighttime Attack by ADF Rebels in Eastern Congo

Zelenskyj Reports 20 Killed in Russian Attack on Donetsk Village
1 MIN READ

Zelenskyj Reports 20 Killed in Russian Attack on Donetsk Village

Norwegian Newspaper Publishes Fake Interview with Høyre Youth Leader
1 MIN READ

Norwegian Newspaper Publishes Fake Interview with Høyre Youth Leader

Støre Begins Work After Norwegian Election Victory
2 MIN READ

Støre Begins Work After Norwegian Election Victory

White House Denies Trump's Signature on Epstein Birthday Card Sketch
1 MIN READ

White House Denies Trump's Signature on Epstein Birthday Card Sketch

Supreme Court Allows ICE Raids in Los Angeles
2 MIN READ

Supreme Court Allows ICE Raids in Los Angeles

Israel Urges Immediate Evacuation of Gaza City Amid Intensified Warnings
1 MIN READ

Israel Urges Immediate Evacuation of Gaza City Amid Intensified Warnings

Thaksin Shinawatra Sentenced to One Year in Thai Prison
2 MIN READ

Thaksin Shinawatra Sentenced to One Year in Thai Prison

EU to Launch New Investigation on Daylight Saving Time
1 MIN READ

EU to Launch New Investigation on Daylight Saving Time

Nepal Prime Minister Resigns Amid Violent Protests and Parliament Fire
2 MIN READ

Nepal Prime Minister Resigns Amid Violent Protests and Parliament Fire

Greta Thunberg's Gaza Aid Vessel Catches Fire Amid Drone Attack Claims
2 MIN READ

Greta Thunberg's Gaza Aid Vessel Catches Fire Amid Drone Attack Claims

Støre Celebrates Re-Election as Norway's Prime Minister
1 MIN READ

Støre Celebrates Re-Election as Norway's Prime Minister

At Least 10 Dead in Mexico Train and Bus Collision
1 MIN READ

At Least 10 Dead in Mexico Train and Bus Collision