Pope Francis passes away: ‘Build bridges in a divided world’

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 ldquoOur hearts ache with grief as we bid farewell to our beloved Holy FathermdashSupreme Pontiff Vicar of Christ and successor of St Peter His departure leaves an immeasurable void in the Universal Church and in the hearts of Indiarsquos faithful who cherished his prophetic voice and tender compassionrdquoPeace iconArchbishop John Rodrigues and Cardinal Oswal Gracias said Pope Francis was ldquoA 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 healingrdquo They added ldquoEven in his final days he exemplified steadfast faith returning to Casa Santa Marta after 38 days of hospitalisation for pneumoniamdasha battle rooted in lifelong respiratory challenges that began in his youth in ArgentinardquoHis humilityArchbishop John Rodrigues stated ldquoPope Francis taught us to find Christ in those the world overlooks His humility his dream of lsquoa poor Church for the poorrsquo 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 examplerdquoCardinal Oswald Gracias reflected ldquoThe Holy Fatherrsquos vision knew no boundaries He urged us to be bridgebuilders in a divided world and his reformsmdasheven to funeral ritesmdashemphasised 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 mercyrdquo The shepherd theme ran through tributes for the Pope Sister Sarla Macwan executive director St Elizabethrsquos Hospital at Teen Batti Malabar Hill said succinctly ldquoOur Pope was a saintly man icon of mercy and shepherd of the poorrdquoHis courageOf the many sterling qualities he will be remembered most for his courage Fr Joshan Rodrigues EditorinChief of The Examiner Catholic Newsweekly Archdiocese of Bombay official news magazine added ldquoPope Francis was my personal hero and Irsquom sure of millions around the globe He was a man of prophetic courage who brought longneeded 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 papacyrdquoClose encounterA cherished memory said Rodrigues was ldquoThe 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 themrdquoFr Daniel Fernandes assistant parish priest at Infant Jesus Church Jogeshwari E said ldquoThe Holy Father Pope Francis will always be remembered for his simplicity courage pastoral and a genuine good shepherdrsquos heart always for the people of Godrdquo A Requiem Mass for Pope Francis was held on Monday evening at the Cathedral of the Holy Name ColabaatOptionskeyd0ddb8ef8f1a62a8cdd22fac27fc5ea7formatiframeheight90width728params