Pope Francis passes away at 88; PM Modi, Mamata condole pontiff's demise

AP & PTI, VATICAN CITY/NEW DELHI/KOLKATA, APRIL 21, 2025 :  Pope Francis, history's first Latin American pontiff who charmed the world with his humble style and concern for the poor but alienated conservatives with critiques of capitalism and climate change, has died on Monday. He was 88.

“At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the home of the Father. His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and of his Church,” Cardinal Kevin Ferrell, the Vatican camerlengo, said in an announcement.

Francis, who suffered from chronic lung disease and had part of one lung removed as a young man, was admitted to Gemelli Hospital on February 14, 2025, for a respiratory crisis that developed into double pneumonia. He spent 38 days there, the longest hospitalization of his 12-year papacy.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday condoled the passing of Pope Francis and said he would always be remembered as a beacon of compassion, humility, and spiritual courage by millions across the world.

“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,” Modi said in a post on X.

“From a young age, he devoted himself towards realizing the ideals of Lord Christ. He diligently served the poor and downtrodden. For those who were suffering, he ignited a spirit of hope,” he said.

Joining millions of mourners across the globe, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday condoled the death of Pope Francis and termed it as “a loss for humanity.” During a function at Salboni in Paschim Medinipur to lay the foundation of a power plant, Mamata touched upon the death of the Pope and expressed her deep sorrow.

“We are saddened by his death, which is a terrible loss,” she said. In a post on X, Mamata said: “Saddened to know of the demise of His Holiness Pope Francis, the leader of the Roman Catholic Church. The Pope is the highest esteemed authority in the Catholic world, and billions of Christians in this planet revere him as the Supreme Pontiff.”

“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.