Mourning for Pope Francis spans Indian religious and political divides

‘I fondly recall my meetings with him and was greatly inspired by his commitment to inclusive and all-round development,’ said Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

There was widespread grief at the death of Pope Francis in India, not only in the Catholic community but also among other religions.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who twice extended an invitation to the Pope to visit India, declared three days of national mourning.

“Deeply pained by the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis. In this hour of grief and remembrance, my heartfelt condolences to the global Catholic community,” Modi said in a statement.

“Pope Francis will always be remembered as a beacon of compassion, humility and spiritual courage by millions across the world. From a young age, he devoted himself towards realising the ideals of Lord Christ. He diligently served the poor and downtrodden. For those who were suffering, he ignited a spirit of hope.

“I fondly recall my meetings with him and was greatly inspired by his commitment to inclusive and all-round development. His affection for the people of India will always be cherished. May his soul find eternal peace in God’s embrace.”

Archbishop Andrews Thazhath of Thrissur, the president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI), said Pope Francis had wished to visit India and “conveyed this to me and also my predecessors”.

Extending the Indian bishops’ condolences, he said that the Pope was a man of deep conviction, unwavering in his love for the poor, the marginalized and the migrants.

“A tireless advocate for mercy and justice whose heart beat with compassion for the suffering borne from his own experience as the first pope from Argentina (which had seen much poverty),” he said.

“While progressive in his outreach and pastoral mission, he remained steadfast in upholding the sacred traditions, documents and integrity of the Church. What was most appealing was the Holy Father’s witness to the Gospel, emulative simplicity, humility and courage in speaking with love besides his commitment to building a church that listens that shares that heals that walks with humanity.”

He said the Pope led the global Church through a time of complex challenges and became a powerful voice for social justice, economic equality, inter-faith dialogue and human dignity, notably in the legacy of Laudto si’.

“We have a great model and intercessor and a great pope in Francis,” Archbishop Thazhath said.

The Archbishop of Goa and Daman Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrao, who will be among those to vote in the coming conclave, said Francis’ death was an immeasurable loss to the entire Church.

“His vision to transform the Church into a synodal community, one that listens, discerns, journeys together and embraces inclusivity, has left an indelible mark on the Church at all levels,” he said.

ln his message to the plenary of the Latin-rite Conference of Catholic Bishops of India, which Cardinal Ferrao heads, in Bhubaneswar in January, the Pope urged them to prioritise the poor and the vulnerable in their ministry, calling upon them to open wide the doors of the Church.

Francis canonised five lndian saints during his pontificate: St. Kuriakose Elias Chavara and St Euphrasia Eluvathingal in 2014, St Joseph Vaz the following year, St Mariam Thresia Chiramel in 2019 and St Devasahayam Pillai in 2022. He also canonised Mother Teresa of Calcutta in 2016.

Rome and the world mourn Pope ‘of the least’

Indian Church hails official feast day for Mother Teresa

A statement from the All India Catholic Union (AICU) described Francis as “a lodestar who redefined for us the love of Jesus Christ for the world, expressing it in his focus for victims of wars and climate change, of gender issues and religious, racial and ethnic hate”.

“Above all, we have lost a friend of the laity, a friend of the poor,” said the AICU’s national president Elia Vaz.

Francis consistently emphasised the importance of inclusivity within the Church, said Fr Suresh Mathew OFM Cap, a former editor of the Indian Currents weekly, noting the significant advances in the role of women in the Catholic Church under his leadership.

Mourning for Pope Francis also spanned India’s political divide. “The entire world is saddened by the passing away of Pope Francis who will be seen by posterity as being hugely consequential,” said a statement from the opposition Congress party leader Mallikarjun Kharge.

“He was a consistent champion of inter-religious understanding and engagement … and a greatly influential force for global peace and harmony … the mitigation of economic inequalities and of collaborative endeavours to deal with the impacts of climate change,” he said.

“On behalf of the Indian National Congress, I extend our sincere condolences to our Christian brethren especially in different parts of our country and the world,” Kharge said.

The party’s general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, whose mother Sonia Gandhi was raised Catholic, said the Pope “was truly an embodiment of love and compassion”.

“He stood for the truth, he spoke out fearlessly against injustice and cared for the poor and marginalised in true faith,” she said in a social media post. “He was an inspiration to millions across the world who hope and strive for a more peaceful and kinder world. May his soul rest in eternal peace.”

Other members of the government also offered their condolences. Federal External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said the Pope’s “compassion and commitment to building a better world defined his papacy”, while the Federal Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said he will be remembered for his service to the human society, especially poor and the marginalised.

“My thoughts are with the millions around the world who grieve his demise,” he said.

In the southern state of Tamil Nadu, Chief Minister M.K. Stalin said Francis’ advocacy for justice, peace, and interfaith dialogue earned him respect from many non-Catholics.

“Deeply saddened by the passing of Pope Francis, a transformative figure who led the Catholic Church with empathy and progressive values,” he said.

“He was a compassionate and progressive voice who brought humility, moral courage, and a deep sense of empathy to the papacy. His dedication to the poor, his embrace of the marginalised, and his advocacy for justice, peace, and interfaith dialogue earned him respect far beyond the Catholic world.”

In the neighbouring state of Kerala, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has Pope Francis has left a legacy of compassion, inclusivity, and a profound commitment to social justice. 

The next conclave could turn to the East

The Pope from the ends of the earth

Stay updated — add us as a preferred news source on Google: