Former Archbishop of Bombay, Cardinal Oswald Gracias, on Monday condoled the demise of Pope Francis, whom he recalled as a person continuously engaged in promoting peace, compassion, and for the poor.
"He is a man who is with the people. The last ceremony he participated in was a celebration of faith with the people on Easter," he said. After nine-day mourning period known as the Novendiale the process of choosing the next pope begins.
Apart from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, and multiple others also condoled the demise of the Pope.
"I fondly recall my meetings with him and was greatly inspired by his commitment to inclusive and all-round development. His affection for the people of India will always be cherished. May his soul find eternal peace in God's embrace," the Prime Minister said.
The 88-year-old head of the Roman Catholic Church was recently discharged from Rome's Gemelli Hospital, where he spent five weeks receiving treatment for an infection that led to double pneumonia.
Arabic Language Academy (ALA) welcomed a student and academic delegation from the Catholic University of Italy, consisting of 11 students accompanied by Dr. Wael Farouk, Director of the Arabic Cultural Institute at the university.
Kerala BJP President Rajeev Chandrasekhar slammed Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan over their allegations of the central government targeting Catholic Church land after the passage of the Waqf Amendment Bill in Parliament.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala have strongly criticised a recent article published in Organiser, the ideological mouthpiece of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), which discussed the extent of land ownership by the Catholic Church in India.
Congress leader and Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Saturday voiced alarm over the Waqf Amendment Bill, warning that it establishes a dangerous precedent beyond its immediate impact on Muslims.
Father Thomas Tharayil from the Kerala Catholic Bishops Council (KCBC) on Thursday hoped that when the Waqf (Amendment) Bill becomes law, it will give solace to the people in Munambam in Ernakulam district, who are facing eviction after the State Waqf board claimed their lands where they hav
BJP MP Anurag Thakur argues for a Waqf law amendment, calling it a source of corruption. He thanks several organisations, including Catholic and Muslim bodies, for supporting the cause, emphasising the need for empowerment, efficiency, and development under the new UMMEED framework.