File photo of Pope Francis with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the Vatican.
Three-Day State Mourning in India as a mark of respect on the passing away of Pope Francis, the Supreme Pontiff of the Holy See
Vatican City: Pope Francis, the 88-year-old leader of the Catholic Church, passed away at 7:35 AM CEST on April 21, 2025, in his Vatican residence, Casa Santa Marta, concluding his 12-year papacy. Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo, announced the demise at 9:45 AM, declaring, “Our Holy Father Francis returned to the house of the Father.” The Vatican has entered a sede vacante period, with a conclave anticipated by May 11 to elect a new pope.
The announcement came after Francis’ prolonged struggle with respiratory ailments, aggravated by a 38-day hospitalisation for bilateral pneumonia in February-March 2025. His last public appearance was on Easter Sunday, April 20, when he blessed crowds in St. Peter’s Square. The Vatican has not specified the precise cause of death, likely tied to his chronic lung condition from a partial lung removal in his youth.
Vatican protocols are in motion. Cardinal Farrell confirmed the death, and Francis’ body will lie in an open wooden coffin in St. Peter’s Basilica, likely from April 23, for public homage. His funeral, expected between April 25-27, will be led by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re. Francis opted for simplified rites and will be interred at Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica, the first papal burial outside the Vatican in over a century.
A Vatican release said: “Sr. Raffaella Petrini, Archbishop Emilio Nappa and Atty. Giuseppe Puglisi-Alibrandi, respectively President and the Secretary Generals of the Governorate, together with Cardinal Fernando Vérgez Alzaga, President Emeritus, join the entire Church in mourning for the passing of beloved Pope Francis, whose papacy was a blessing for the whole world.”
The Vatican remembered Pope Francis as a “promoter of peace who, with great authority, defended freedom and human dignity, firmly opposing armed conflict as a means of resolving international disputes”.
Throughout his pontificate, the Vatican said, Francis promoted interreligious and intercultural dialogue, constantly calling all people to seek what unites rather than what divides them, pointing to the values of solidarity and civility in building societies that are more human-centered. He showed particular attention to friendship and love of neighbour, always keeping a special focus on the poor, forgotten and most vulnerable.
The State’s governing bodies, together with all the employees of the Governorate of the Vatican City State in all its Departments and Offices, joined with the Church’s liturgy for the departed, lifting their prayers to God for the late Pontiff.
World leaders expressed sorrow. U.S. President Donald Trump posted, “Rest in Peace, Pope Francis!” Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni termed him “a great pastor.” Argentina and Brazil declared seven days of mourning. Crowds gathered in St. Peter’s Square, honouring the “People’s Pope.”
Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires (Argentina), Francis was elected in 2013 as the first Latin American and Jesuit pope. As the 266th Pope of the Catholic Church, he championed inclusivity, social justice, and environmental causes through his 2015 encyclical Laudato Si’, inspiring global and Indian diocesan climate action. Conservatives criticised his doctrinal flexibility, like Amoris Laetitia, and Latin Mass curbs, while progressives—lay activists, religious orders, and Indian groups like Sisters in Solidarity—demanded women’s ordination (84% support, 2022), mandatory abuse reporting with oversight, and same-sex marriage (81% support, 2023). Indian Catholics also sought abuse transparency post-Franco Mulakkal.
During COVID-19, Francis advocated vaccines; amid wars, he sent Ukraine aid. His passing on Easter Monday, noted by Cardinal Timothy Dolan as symbolically poignant, marks a turning point for the Church, as the conclave may shift priorities, with conservatives seeking tradition and progressives pressing for reform. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated, “We unite in prayer with Catholics worldwide for the repose of the pontiff’s soul and for this period of transition for the Catholic Church”.
As a mark of respect, three-day State Mourning shall be observed throughout India. During the period of the State mourning, the National Flag will be flown at half mast throughout India.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi today condoled the passing of Pope Francis, and hailed him as a beacon of compassion, humility and spiritual courage. He posted on X: “Deeply pained by the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis. In this hour of grief and remembrance, my heartfelt condolences to the global Catholic community. Pope Francis will always be remembered as a beacon of compassion, humility and spiritual courage by millions across the world. From a young age, he devoted himself towards realising the ideals of Lord Christ. He diligently served the poor and downtrodden. For those who were suffering, he ignited a spirit of hope. 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. May his soul find eternal peace in God’s embrace.”
– global bihari bureau
