MUMBAI: Right at the start of his papacy in March 2013, Pope Francis had sent a signal of humility by choosing to wear a white cassock and iron cross, unlike the red robe and gold cross worn by his predecessors. “Not like a king but a pastor.” Throughout his tenure that lasted 12 years, he remained at heart Jorge Mario Bergoglio, a simple Argentinian who never lost touch with his roots.
On Monday the Catholic flock was stricken to learn of the 88-year-old pontiff’s death, given that he had participated in Easter rituals over the past few days. Yet, the end having come the very morning after Easter, the most significant festival on the liturgical calendar, brought an odd feeling of hope amid the gloom.
“It is a glorious passing — he has surely found a place with the Risen Lord,” said Jennifer Rodrigues, professor of history at National College, who along with her neighbours had prayed for Francis’ health during the Way of the Cross last week.
Former police commissioner Julio F Ribeiro said, “It is ironic that one of the last visitors to meet him was US vice president J D Vance… Pope Francis, a Jesuit from Argentina, was a good pope. The next pope, I hope, would follow his path of adjusting to modern times as far as his intelligence and conscience permits.”
Leading gynaecologist and obstetrician Dr Kiran Coelho, her husband and son are scheduled to go on a pilgrimage to the Vatican May 16. “We were so hoping to see him. I have worked for the archdiocese since 20 years, giving lectures on marriage preparation, and co-authored a book named ‘Creative Love’ which talks about the Catholic method of contraception. I found Francis quite modern in his stance on contraception and gay marriage while keeping firm on basic tenets. Francis was so accepting of other faiths and viewpoints. He brought back the youth who were turning away from the Church.”
Cardinal Oswald Gracias, who worked closely with the Pope, told PTI, “He was a person who spent his life for the people. His messages for the world were for peace, compassion for the poor and this same orientation he wanted in the Church. He spoke so strongly on rights of migrants, even in his personal dealings with world leaders. Tomorrow, the cardinals in Rome will meet. I will also leave for Rome in two days. The first thing that they will decide on is when to hold the funeral rites.”