Multi-Faith Memorial and Tribute to Pope Francis at ISI-B
The sudden demise of Pope Francis on Easter Monday (21st April, 2025), brought to an end the tumultuous 12-year long papacy of the first Jesuit Pope and the first South American Pope. Though he was the head of the Catholic Church, he proved himself as a Global Spiritual leader, a Moral Compass and a voice of compassion and peace to all men and women of goodwill. In order to cherish the legacy of Pope Francis, Indian Social Institute in collaboration with Inter Religious Harmony Movement organised this Multi Faith Memorial and Tribute to Pope Francis on 8th May, 2025, in the premises of ISI Bangalore. All leaders of different faiths and the audience observed a minute silence as a mark of respect to Pope Francis and also remembered the innocent victims of the Pahalgam terror attack and other victims of violence and war. This was followed by floral tributes to Pope Francis by members of all faiths.
At the outset, Fr. Selvaraj Arulnathan SJ, extended a warm welcome to all leaders and people of different faiths, while recounting the various ways in which Pope Francis impacted the lives of people all over the world.
In his inaugural address, Fr. Denzil Fernandes SJ, the Head of the Peace and Reconciliation Unit at ISI Bangalore, made a presentation on “Pope Francis: A Global Voice of Peace and Compassion”, where he showed glimpses of his two encounters with Pope Francis and displayed some iconic images of his peace efforts, inter-religious engagements and his widely acclaimed encyclicals. He also highlighted his impact on India in terms of appointment of Bishops, including the two Auxiliary Bishops of the Archdiocese of Bangalore, his appointment of three Indian cardinals, who were participating in the conclave to elect a new Pope, and the canonization of six Indian saints.
The Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Bangalore, Rev. Joseph Soosainathan, expressed his tribute and gratitude to Pope Francis by recalling his meeting with His Holiness in October 2024. He pointed out that Pope Francis initiated dialogue with leaders of all religions in search of peace and was a man filled with compassion and mercy towards all, especially prisoners, migrants and refugees, as he built bridges rather than walls.
On behalf of the Hindu community, Mr. Gokulmuthu Narayanaswamy, a member and mentor of Vivekananda Yuvak Sangha at Ramakrishna Math, Ulsoor, offered his tribute by saying that Pope Francis considered all religions as pathways to God as he mentioned to an inter-religious group of young people in Singapore, in September 2024. He was referring to the analogy of Pope Francis that religions are like “different languages that express the divine.”
On behalf of the Parsee community, Mr Shereyar Vakil, offered heartfelt tributes by focusing on love, compassion and empathy in the life of Pope Francis. He said that Pope Francis was a noblest person who advocated peace in the world and was a vocal advocate of environmental protection.
On behalf of the Buddhist community, Mr. Harsh Vardhan Umre, the President of AHIMSA International, offered glowing tribute to Pope Francis saying that he was not confined to creed, as he was a friend of poor and gave importance to mercy over judgement, humility over hierarchy.
On behalf of the Central Tibetan Administration, Geshe Jampa Choewang, the Director of the Education Department at Sera Jey Monastic University, said that the papacy of Pope Francis was recognized for championing environmental preservation, interfaith dialogue and peace-building, Church reform and accountability, advocacy for the poor and marginalized, and efforts in diplomacy and conflict resolution. He also referred to the condolence message of His Holiness The Dalai Lama: “His Holiness Pope Francis dedicated himself to the service of others, consistently revealing by his own actions how to live a simple, but meaningful life.”
Offering tributes on behalf of the Jain community, Ms. S. P. Malini, member of the Karnataka Jain Association, said that Pope Francis guided the world not as a hierarchical ruler but with human values of compassion, mercy and love.
On behalf of the Muslim community, Ms. Fathima Sarah, a member of Centre for Peace and Spirituality, said that Pope Francis was a compassionate Pope as compassion is the true face of faith. In addition, Mr. Arif Vakil, the co-creator of Sufi Comics, series, appreciated Pope Francis’ outreach to other religions, especially the Muslim community, through the signing of the landmark “Document on Human Fraternity for World peace and Living Together” on 4th February, 2019.
On behalf of Brahmakumaris, Sister Bhuvaneshwari offered heartfelt tributes to Pope Francis saying that he promoted peace and love all over the world by opposing war, walking beside the poor and standing for justice, dialogue and fraternity.
On behalf of the Baha’i community, Mr. Yogesh said that Pope Francis stressed on unity of people of all faiths to strive to make the world a better place.
Mr. Shawn Micheal, a MAGIS Youth leader, offered heartfelt tribute to Pope Francis by recalling how he encouraged youth to be courageous dreamers and be always hopeful.
The programme also featured musical tributes to Pope Francis and a poem titled “Lily” , which was composed and recited by Ms. Assumpta Desai Lobo, in honour of Pope Francis, who has been a great inspiration in her life. Bro. Ovin Rodrigues SJ guided the programme to make it meaningful and touching experience for all.
At the end of the programme, Fr. Francis Balaraj SJ, thanked all the faith leaders for paying rich tributes to Pope Francis and appealed to the audience to continue the legacy of Pope Francis of fostering a culture care for creation and of fraternity, peace and compassion to all peoples, especially the poor and the marginalised, in our country and the world.