Bonds Forged Through Baptism: Cardinal's Final Prayer at Hospital Bedside Before Passing

Actor Choi Bul-am, who received enduring love from the public as a "national father," reportedly received the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick from Cardinal Andrew Yeom Soo-jung a few days before passing away.

According to broadcasting and Catholic circles on October 30, Cardinal Yeom visited a hospital in Gangseo-gu, Seoul, on October 20 to administer the sacrament to Choi, who was receiving inpatient treatment.

The Anointing of the Sick is a ritual that grants grace and prays for salvation for the sick or gravely ill. It was reported that Cardinal Yeom visited the hospital upon hearing that Choi's condition had become critical.

Until just a few days before receiving the sacrament, Choi was reportedly not in a critical condition, talking to nurses and even singing songs for them, but his health deteriorated rapidly.

His ties with Cardinal Yeom began in 2018.

Choi received Catholic baptism in October 2018, with Cardinal Yeom presiding over the ceremony. He personally chose "Francis," after the saint of Assisi, as his baptismal name to emulate the spirit of earnestly serving those in hardship.

His wife, actor Kim Min-ja, is also a Catholic, and the couple held a marriage renewal ceremony alongside the baptism, also presided over by Cardinal Yeom.

Kim Hye-soo, who maintained a special bond with Kim Min-ja after playing mother and daughter in the drama "Samogok" (1987), also attended the event.

At the time, Choi said, "I have committed many unseen faults while living my life so far, but through baptism, I am able to live a new life. I am grateful to the Cardinal and all Catholic believers."

Cardinal Yeom is also scheduled to preside over the late actor's funeral mass before the funeral procession on November 2.

Choi passed away at around 10 p.m. on October 29 at the age of 87.

He had been striving for rehabilitation after undergoing back disc surgery in March of last year, but his health reportedly deteriorated sharply recently.

The mortuary has been set up in Room 20 of the Asan Medical Center Funeral Hall in Seoul, and the funeral procession is scheduled for 7 a.m. on November 2.

The funeral will be held over five days as a ChildFund Korea funeral, honoring the deceased's lifelong dedication to the happy futures of children and adolescents.

(Photo provided by the Archdiocese of Seoul, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.