Kerala Hindu Leader Presents Rig Veda to Pope Francis

Thiruvananthapuram, Dec 15 (NationPress) P. Sreekumar, the Kerala State Coordinator of Hindus of America and a notable leader within the RSS-associated Hindu movement in Kerala, has presented a copy of the Rig Veda to Pope Francis at the Vatican in Rome.

Sreekumar delivered this sacred text during his visit to the Vatican for the World Religious Convention, where Pope Francis served as the keynote speaker.

Reflecting on the significance of the occasion, Sreekumar remarked to IANS: “In remembrance, former Kerala Chief Minister and late CPI-M leader E.K. Nayanar had gifted a copy of the Bhagavad Gita to Pope John Paul II during his visit to the Vatican in 1997. I believed that the most fitting gift this time would be none other than the Rig Veda itself.”

He underlined that the late Swami Satyānanda Saraswati, a distinguished Hindu leader and saint from Kerala, frequently stressed the significance of the Vedas as the core scripture of Hinduism, advocating for every Hindu household to have a copy.

In alignment with this vision, the Kerala Hindus of North America commenced the distribution of copies of the Rig Veda.

During a convention in Houston in 2023, attendees received the sacred text, which included Sanskrit verses alongside English translations. Sreekumar, who is also a writer and journalist, played a role in the preparation of these editions.

He clarified that the gift was sanctioned through prior security protocols at the Vatican.

As he personally handed it over to the Pope, he noted that the Rig Veda encapsulates the essence of Hindu philosophy.

Pope Francis accepted the gift with a contemplative smile, inquiring, “Is this for me?”

The World Religious Convention was organized by the Sivagiri Mutt, which was established by Sree Narayana Guru.

Swami Sachithananda, the President of Sivagiri Mutt, also presented Pope Francis with a replica of the Ashoka Pillar and an interfaith logo.

Sreekumar recounted a memorable instance from the convention, describing how Pope Francis stepped down from the stage after his speech to sit among children, engaging in prayer and personal discussions.

“The entire experience highlighted our shared values of respect, inclusivity, and the strength of interfaith dialogue within a global community,” he remarked.

An Indian delegation led by Union Minister of State George Kurien visited the Vatican to witness the elevation of George Jacob Koovakad, a 51-year-old Keralite priest, to the rank of Cardinal by Pope Francis.

Koovakad is recognized as the first Indian priest directly elevated to the position of Cardinal.

Ordained in 2004, Cardinal Koovakad trained at the prestigious Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy before commencing his diplomatic career at the Apostolic Nunciature in Algeria in 2006.

By 2020, he had joined the Secretariat of State of the Holy See, overseeing the organization of the Pope’s global travels.