Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday condoled the death of Pope Francis, stating that the Pontiff’s “affection for the people of India will always be cherished.”
“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. 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 to realising the ideals of Lord Christ. He diligently served the poor and downtrodden. For those who were suffering, he ignited a spirit of hope,” PM Modi said on X.
“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,” the Prime Minister added.
Prime Minister Modi had met Pope Francis on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Apulia, Italy. Pictures from the meeting showed PM Modi and the Pope sharing a warm embrace.
“Met Pope Francis on the sidelines of the G7 Summit. I admire his commitment to serve people and make our planet better. Also invited him to visit India,” he had posted on X.
PM Modi had previously met Pope Francis in 2021 at the Vatican, where they discussed a wide range of issues, including the COVID-19 pandemic.
Union Minister of State for Minority Affairs, George Kurian, also expressed deep sadness over the Pope’s demise, as reported earlier by the Vatican.
“Deeply saddened by the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis. A profound loss for the global community. His life of service, compassion, and faith touched millions. Heartfelt condolences to all grieving this immense loss,” Kurian said.
The 266th leader of the Catholic Church passed away early this morning at his residence. The announcement was made by Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church.
In December last year, Minister Kurian had told reporters that the head of the Catholic Church was likely to visit India after 2025, in the context of the Church’s Jubilee Year celebrations.
He had travelled to the Vatican to attend the ordination of Monsignor George Jacob Koovakad, a native of Kerala, who was elevated to the rank of Cardinal by Pope Francis.
Meanwhile, the Vatican stated that the official confirmation of the Pope’s death takes place in the chapel, rather than in the room where he died, and that his body is immediately placed inside a coffin.
According to Archbishop Diego Ravelli, Master of Apostolic Ceremonies, Pope Francis had requested simplified funeral rites.
The “Papal Interregnum” — the period between the death of one pope and the election of another — began with Pope Francis’ passing.
Cardinals must now determine the exact timing for the funeral and the subsequent conclave to elect a new Pope. Much of the timeline is predetermined: the Pope’s death initiates nine days of mourning known as Novendiales, and he must be buried between the fourth and sixth day after his death.
The body of the Pope will lie in state at St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican for public mourning, with a Mass held each day. In 2005, mourners lined up for miles to pay their respects to Pope John Paul II, the last sitting Pope to pass away, according to a CNN report.
Following the mourning period, all Cardinals under the age of 80 will convene to elect the next leader of the Catholic Church — a process that typically takes two to three weeks.
Pope Francis had delivered his final Easter message just a day earlier, from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, addressing thousands gathered in Vatican Square.
The 88-year-old Pontiff had recently been discharged from Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, where he spent five weeks being treated for an infection that had led to double pneumonia. (ANI)