PNS|New Delhi
The government on Monday announced a three-day state mourning as a mark of respect on the passing away of Pope Francis.
In a statement, the Ministry of Home Affairs said, “His Holiness Pope Francis, Supreme Pontiff of the Holy See passed away on April 21. As a mark of respect, three-day state mourning shall be observed throughout India.”
As per the schedule, two days’ state mourning will be on April 22 (Tuesday) and April 23 (Wednesday). Besides, one day’s state mourning will be on the day of the funeral, the statement said.
Meanwhile, political and religious leaders from across the country offered glowing tributes to Pope Francis who died on Monday, hailing him for his “compassion and humility” and commitment to social justice.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was deeply pained by the passing of Pope Francis, adding that he will always be remembered as a beacon of compassion and spiritual courage by millions across the world.
“In this hour of grief and remembrance, my heartfelt condolences to the global Catholic community,” he said in a post on X.
“From a young age, he devoted himself towards realising the ideals of Lord Christ. He diligently served the poor and downtrodden,” the prime minister said.
His affection for the people of India will always be cherished, Modi added.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said the pontiff’s “compassion and commitment to building a better world” defined his papacy.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said Francis will be remembered for his remarkable service to human society, especially the poor and the marginalised.
Expressing grief over the Pope’s death, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said it was a loss for all of humanity.
“My heart goes out to all my fellow Christian brothers and sisters in India and the rest of the world and I feel connected with them all in a profound sense of loss and empathy,” she said at an event in Paschim Medinipur.
In a post on X, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said the pontiff’s life was a message of love for the poor and hope for the world.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday expressed sadness over the passing away of Pope Francis, whom he described as a consistent champion of inter-religious understanding and an influential force for global peace and harmony.
He was also a greatly influential force for global peace and harmony who actively supported causes like the ending of discrimination of all forms, the mitigation of economic inequalities and of collaborative endeavours to deal with the impacts of climate change,” Kharge, leader of opposition in the Rajya Sabha, said in a statement.
Rahul Gandhi, the leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha, expressed deep sadness over the pontiff’s passing, describing him as a global voice of compassion, justice and peace.
“He stood by the downtrodden and the marginalised, spoke fearlessly against inequality, and inspired millions across faiths with his message of love and humanity,” the Congress leader said in a post on X.
Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said Pope Francis “stood for truth” and spoke out “fearlessly against injustice”.
He was an inspiration for those who “hope and strive for a more peaceful and kinder world”, she said.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said he was a “strong voice for the vulnerable and significant reforms in the Church. He inspired millions, far beyond the Catholic Church, with his humility and dedication to work till his last breath,” Sarma said.
Chief Minister of Christian-majority Mizoram, Lalduhoma said “Francis was a global symbol of humility, compassion, and moral leadership. May his soul rest in eternal peace,” he said.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said Francis’s experiences in Argentina’s Buenos Aires, where he was born, shaped his understanding of poverty, leading him to declare that “the globalisation of indifference” must be countered with active compassion for the needy.
His commitment to LGBTQIA+ rights evolved during his papacy, as he sought to foster a more inclusive Church, Vijayan said, adding that he famously stated that “everyone has dignity” regardless of sexual orientation.
