Karnataka Government Observes Day of Mourning for Pope Francis’ Funeral
Click to start listening
Synopsis
The Karnataka government has declared a day of mourning on Saturday in honor of Pope Francis' funeral, reflecting on his significant contributions as a global leader dedicated to social justice and environmental advocacy.
Key Takeaways
- Karnataka government observes a day of mourning.
- Pope Francis passed away on April 21, 2025.
- National Flag to be flown at half-mast.
- Reverend Cyril Victor Joseph praises Pope's leadership.
- Concerns raised about AI and environmental issues.
Bengaluru, April 25 (NationPress) The Karnataka government has declared a day of mourning on Saturday to honor the funeral of Pope Francis.
Deputy Secretary to the Government, Elisha Andrews, issued a notification on Friday in the name of the Governor of Karnataka.
“His Holiness Pope Francis, Supreme Pontiff of the Holy See, departed for his heavenly abode on April 21, 2025. The funeral for this esteemed dignitary will take place on Saturday, April 26, 2025.
“On this day, State Mourning will be observed throughout Karnataka in memory of the departed soul. During this period, all forms of official entertainment activities will be suspended, and the National Flag will be flown at half-mast on all public buildings where it is regularly displayed,” the notification specifies.
Reverend Cyril Victor Joseph, Director of the Archdiocese Communication Centre, Archdiocese of Bengaluru, remarked that Pope Francis was a global leader who reached out to the marginalized, expressed deep concern for the environment, and raised ethical issues surrounding Artificial Intelligence (AI).
“This is indeed a tremendous loss for the Church as he was a genuine shepherd and a remarkable leader within the universal Church. We are grateful for his guidance, but this is a significant loss. His leadership was characterized by mercy and compassion and introduced unique initiatives during his tenure,” stated the Archdiocese of Bengaluru.
He further emphasized that Pope Francis envisioned a Church that reflects God’s aspirations, embodying compassion and mercy, particularly towards the needy and marginalized.
“His leadership transcended the Catholic community and the Christian realm. He was a worldwide leader. We observed his profound concern for the climate, ecology, and environmental issues. He was the first to release an encyclical focusing on the environment titled 'Laudato Si', which translates to 'Praise Be to You', emphasizing the care for our shared home,” he mentioned.
Reverend Cyril also shared a personal story: “During my doctoral research in Rome, I had the privilege of meeting Pope Francis in the US. He was affectionately nicknamed a ‘tree hugger’ due to his vigorous environmental advocacy.”
He noted that with the rise of AI, Pope Francis voiced ethical concerns and urged for careful contemplation regarding its implications for humanity.
Reverend Cyril added that Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrao, President of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI), had already circulated a message expressing sincere condolences and called for mourning across all churches in India.
