As Pope Francis passes, community mourns shepherd who guided his flock with compassion and courage
A photo of Pope Francis is displayed in the St John’s Archcathedral in Warsaw’s Old Town yesterday. Pic/PTI
The Archdiocese of Bombay joined the global Catholic community in mourning the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis, 88, on Monday, April 21, at Casa Santa Marta, at the edge of Vatican City (Rome, Italy). The Archdiocese said in a statement, “Our hearts ache with grief as we bid farewell to our beloved Holy Father—Supreme Pontiff, Vicar of Christ, and successor of St Peter. His departure leaves an immeasurable void in the Universal Church and in the hearts of India’s faithful, who cherished his prophetic voice and tender compassion.”
Peace icon
Archbishop John Rodrigues and Cardinal Oswal Gracias said Pope Francis was “A shepherd of boundless mercy, who lived the gospel by walking alongside the marginalised, advocating for peace, and tirelessly calling the Church to be a refuge of healing.” They added, “Even in his final days, he exemplified steadfast faith, returning to Casa Santa Marta after 38 days of hospitalisation for pneumonia—a battle rooted in lifelong respiratory challenges that began in his youth in Argentina.”
His humility
Archbishop John Rodrigues stated, “Pope Francis taught us to find Christ in those the world overlooks. His humility, his dream of ‘a poor Church for the poor,’ and his courage to engage a wounded world transformed not only the Church but countless souls. While we mourn, we also give thanks for a legacy that will live on in every heart stirred by his example.”
Cardinal Oswald Gracias reflected, “The Holy Father’s vision knew no boundaries. He urged us to be bridge-builders in a divided world, and his reforms—even to funeral rites—emphasised simplicity and faith in the Risen Lord. He led not as a monarch, but as a disciple. In our sorrow, let us honour him by embracing his mission: to be pilgrims of hope and witnesses of mercy.” The shepherd theme ran through tributes for the Pope. Sister Sarla Macwan, executive director, St Elizabeth’s Hospital at Teen Batti, Malabar Hill, said succinctly, “Our Pope was a saintly man, icon of mercy and shepherd of the poor.”
His courage
Of the many sterling qualities, he will be remembered most for his courage. Fr Joshan Rodrigues, Editor-in-Chief of The Examiner Catholic Newsweekly, Archdiocese of Bombay official news magazine, added, “Pope Francis was my personal hero, and I’m sure of millions around the globe. He was a man of prophetic courage who brought long-needed reforms to the Catholic Church and positioned it to be a powerful beacon of hope in the modern world. He was a spokesperson for migrants and for the poor. He empowered women. There are many women today in leading positions in the Vatican due to his vision. Those who had been discarded by the ills of modern society were a priority of his papacy.”
Close encounter
A cherished memory, said Rodrigues, was “The privilege of encountering him up close several times during my student days in Rome. What struck me always was the radiant glow that emanated from him, like a sign of holiness. I unfortunately never got a picture with him, but my fondest memory is when I accidentally met him outside the lift at Casa Santa Marta, his residence. I was able to kiss his hand and take his blessings. He was truly a Pope of the people and a shepherd with the smell of his sheep. That is a phrase that he came up with. It means that priests need to be very close to the people they serve, just like a shepherd is so close to his sheep that he smells of them.”
Fr Daniel Fernandes, assistant parish priest at Infant Jesus Church Jogeshwari (E) said, “The Holy Father Pope Francis will always be remembered for his simplicity, courage, pastoral and a genuine good shepherd’s heart always for the people of God.” A Requiem Mass for Pope Francis was held on Monday evening at the Cathedral of the Holy Name, Colaba.
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
