Pope Francis dies at 88
Pope Francis, the 266th pope of the Roman Catholic Church and the first from the Americas, passed away on Monday morning at the age of 88, the Vatican has announced.
The news was confirmed by Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the Vatican Camerlengo, who stated:
“At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the home of the Father. His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and of his Church.”
“He taught us to live the values of the Gospel with faithfulness, courage, and universal love, especially for the poorest and most marginalized.”
“With immense gratitude for his example as a true disciple of the Lord Jesus, we commend the soul of Pope Francis to the infinite, merciful love of God, One and Triune,” he added.
Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Pope Francis was elected in 2013 following the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI. Known for his humility, progressive views, and outreach to the marginalized, he led the Church through a period of introspection and reform.
Tributes have poured in from across India.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a post on X, said:
“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 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.”
Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma also expressed his condolences, saying:
“I am deeply saddened by the demise of His Holiness Pope Francis. As the Head of the Roman Catholic Church, the Pope led by example. He was truly a People’s Pope, and his life embodied humility, love, and compassion, which has inspired countless souls. His Papacy will be remembered and cherished as he advocated for peace across the world. I also recall with nostalgia the historic moment I met with the Pope at the Vatican in December 2022, where I requested him to pray for the state, the nation, and its people. Today, we have lost the Shepherd of the Church, a Global Leader, and the People’s Pope. But his life will be an inspiration to all of us. May his soul rest in eternal peace.”
The Meghalaya BJP also issued a statement expressing profound grief and solidarity with the global Church and the people of Meghalaya, a state where a majority of the population is Christian.
“Remembering Pope Francis as the first man from South America, and only the second man born outside Europe, to take papal office, the party notes his compassionate views on many subjects that are focal points of the world today,” Meghalaya BJP president Rikman G Momin said.
“The late Pope’s efforts to ensure women empowerment, wherein he made women full members of dicasteries, strikes a chord amongst every individual. His total commitment towards the cause of climate change, his unwavering dedication towards the welfare of the world and all living beings, act as an inspiration for all of us. His universal message of love continues to act as a beacon for people across all faiths.”
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