An Indian eulogy for Pope Francis

As the whole world prayerfully holds their hands together while the Successor of St. Peter, Pope Francis begins his eternal pilgrimage to the heavenly home, Indians too mourn over his demise. The first pope from the South American continent stole the hearts of the whole world through his simplicity, mercifulness and compassion. A life that lasted 88 years was one of service, charity and prayer. He stood for the poor and the marginalised; he was the voice of the voiceless; he cared for the victims of wars and violence, washed the feet of prisoners, advocated for the nature, and tied knots with different religions and the Christian denominations. 

 

Political leaders irrespective of their ideologies, religious leaders and many other prominent figures from India have expressed their condolences over his demise. Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote in his Twitter, “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.” 

 

Indian church is indebted to him for many reasons even if the highly anticipated Apostolic visit to India never realised. In the Catholic tradition, every man and woman are called to holiness, but only a few manage to realise the call. It’s a privilege and honour for the community and the nation when one of its children is named to be venerated at the altar. He canonised four of the Indian saints—Fr Kuriakose Elias Chavara and Sister Euphrasia Eluvathingal from Kerala in 2014, Kerala-born Catholic nun, Mariam Thresia in 2019 and first Indian layman to be canonised Devasahayam Pillai in 2024. He has canonised more Indian saints than any other Pope in the history. 

 

Pope Francis elevated Cardinal George Koovakad to the rank of Cardinals on December 7, 2024, which was the first time in the history of the Indian church that a priest was named to be a Cardinal. Pope was very keen of naming cardinals from all the corners of the world. Cardinal George Koovakad was the coordinator of the Apostolic journeys outside Italy from 2020. He currently heads the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue and is the first Indian to head a Vatican Dicastery as its prefect.

 

Just like many other priests, seminarians and nuns in Rome, the undersigned also had the privilege to meet him in person multiple times and lead his Cricket team as its captain. He transmitted a joyful and charismatic energy to anyone he encountered. The multiple times that I was able to serve at the altar during his Holy Masses, and the opportunities to speak to him in person remains an immense blessing in my life.

 

The Catholics in India have been longing for an Apostolic visit of the pope for around 40 years by now, and many believed that Pope Francis would do so after the Jubilee year. The unmaterialized visit will always be sorrowful memory in our hearts. He had expressed his prayerful concerns and nearness to the Indian community many times, especially during the natural disasters and calamities.

 

He was a fatherly figure to the whole world and his saintliness transmits a hope that never vanishes. His call for the world peace and disarmament even in the last Urbi et Orbi message shall be inscribed in the hearts of the whole world, especially of us who are from the land of ahimsa.

World