Archbishop Anil Joseph Thomas Couto left, and religious leaders paid tribute to Pope Francis after his death, held in New Delhi on April 21, 2025 at a condolence meeting held at the CBCI and the Chavara Cultural Centre in Delhi. Image source: PTI
The Council of Catholic Bishops of India (CBCI) pleaded with the death of Pope Francis on Monday (21 April 2025) and said the Catholic Church in India would observe nine days of mourning and prayer. It attracted Indian Catholics to provide holy masses for the pope.
CBCI and Chavara Cultural Center Delhi held a condolence meeting in the diocese community center, the Holy Heart Cathedral, where leaders from all kinds of faiths, diplomats, clergy and public figures gathered together.
Anil Joseph Thomas Couto, Archbishop of Delhi and Secretary-General of CBCI, said Pope Francis is not only the spiritual leader of the Catholic Church, but also a bridge builder across faith and nations. “His humility, courage and unwavering representation of justice and mercy will guide the descendants of mankind,” he said.
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Joshua Mar Ignathios, chairman of the CBCI Dialogue Committee, remembers Pope Francis as “Jesus of our time” and points to his deep concern about marginalization, the environment and global brotherhood.
Prayer and memory are also provided by Bishops Subodh Mandal and Thomas Mar Anthonios oic of the Northern Church of India. VIPs present included former Union Minister and Rajaya Sabha MP GK Vasan and former Secretary of State KJ Alphons.
The evening saw delegations from several ambassadors, including Javier Manuel Velarde (Peru), Jacqueline Mukangira (Rwanda), Reuban Gaucci (Malta), Omar Castaneda (Guatemala), Kevin Kelly (Ireland), and Joao Ribeiro de Almeida (Portugal), each reflecting on Pope Francis’ message of hope and unity that transcended boundaries.
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The gathering echoes the Pope’s enduring appeal with a religious mutual prayer service led by leaders of different faiths: “Let us build the future together with peace, dialogue and love.”
In a statement, the permanent association of the Indian Catholic hierarchy said that the church “joined with millions of faithful faithful people around the world to mourn the lost shepherd who led the Catholic church globally with extraordinary courage, compassion, compassion and humility.”
The association said special prayers will be provided in all parishes and religious houses on the day of the funeral. It said: “It is a sign of respect and solidarity to ask all Catholic institutions across the country to remain closed on the funeral day if possible.”
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The association said the Catholic Church in India “in the lost period, prayer unity of the universal church”, and the association said Pope Francis’ religious belief was “a firm commitment to the poor, refugees and the poor who were marginalized in society,” the association said.
“He is the relentless voice of social justice, economic equality and human dignity – advocating for forgotten causes and bringing their plight to the world’s conscience,” said Robinson Rodrigues, father of CBCI.
He added that the Pope’s encyclopedia, a letter from the Pope to the Catholic bishop, laudato si’ is a clarification call for ecological transformation and “responsible management of our shared residences.” Out of prophetic urgency, he urged global communities to take concrete actions to resist climate change and environmental degradation, uniting people of all beliefs and ideologies to take care of creation.
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Pope Francis is a bridge builder between a country and religion, promoting dialogue of faith with humility and openness. His historic gesture of peace and mutual respect deepens understanding and solidarity between diverse religious traditions. We thank Pope Francis for his life and ministry – Francis for his life and ministry – the true servant, a true peace, may he have another will, and inspired his desire. Come on,’ said the association.
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