With Love and Tears, Archdiocese of Bangalore Says Adieu to Pope Francis

Bangalore, April 26, 2025 — Today, the heart of Bangalore mourns the passing of a man who inspired not just Catholics, but people of every faith and walk of life. Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Argentina, was more than a Pope — he was a symbol of humility, compassion, and courage in a world often divided by hate and fear. 

In Bangalore, he was especially loved for his simplicity, his deep concern for the poor, and his vision of the Church as a "field hospital" — a place where the wounded could find healing and hope. Archbishop Peter Machado in his homilies and reflections about Pope Francis promotes the faithful to carry forward this mission, reminding everyone that Pope Francis’s dream of a Church rooted in mercy, healing, and service must live on in Bangalore’s streets, parishes, and homes. 

The Requiem Mass which was held at St. Francis Xavier’s Cathedral was not merely a ritual; it was a profound outpouring of gratitude, mourning, and an aching hope that Pope Francis’s dream for a more compassionate world would live on through each of us. 

Fr Amarnath, voice trembling with emotion, captured the immense loss and inspiration the Pope leaves behind: "Pope Francis showed us that greatness is not found in crowns or thrones, but in bending low to wash the feet of the forgotten. He didn’t just speak about Christ's love — he became its living testimony among us." 

Fr Arun Santhosh reflected with deep reverence on the Pope’s radical mercy and tenderness: "The Holy Father taught us that mercy is not weakness, but the very face of God. He beckoned us to tear down the walls of fear and open wide the doors of compassion — because the heart of the Church must be a refuge for all." 

With visible emotion, Fr Cyril Victor reminded the faithful of Pope Francis’s steadfast call to hope, even amid a fractured world: "In our darkness, he lit candles. In our despair, he whispered hope. Pope Francis did not just lead the Church — he walked with us, shoulder to shoulder, reminding us that the resurrection is not just an event; it is the heartbeat of our daily lives." 

As the service neared its end, a profound hush fell upon the Cathedral when Bishop Satis offered his closing tribute, words heavy with love and eternal respect: "We have not just lost a leader; we have lost a father, a friend, a brother in Christ. Pope Francis has returned to the embrace of the Lord he served so faithfully. May his life ignite in us the courage to love fiercely, to serve humbly, and to walk always in the light of Christ." 

The Requiem Mass concluded with a solemn blessing and a final hymn, invoking the Holy Spirit to strengthen the Church in this time of mourning and renewal. As bells tolled over Bangalore, the memory of Pope Francis — the humble shepherd from Buenos Aires — echoed in the hearts of all who were present.