1 week Ago By Sahan Weerasooriya
Catholics across the globe are mourning the passing of Pope Francis at the age of 88. Widely regarded as the “Pope of the People,” Francis broke with tradition and breathed new life into the papacy with his humility and compassion. From the moment of his election, Pope Francis made it clear that his pontificate would be defined not by opulence but by service.
Eschewing the grandeur of the Apostolic Palace, he chose to live in a modest room at the Vatican guesthouse. The formal papal garments gave way to a simple white cassock and well-worn black shoes, symbolic of a man who walked with the poor. The first non-European to lead the Catholic Church, Pope Francis was an outsider heading into the 2013 conclave.
He championed the rights of the poor and at times called on world leaders to show compassion to immigrants. He defied protocol with his actions, washing the feet of prisoners on Maundy Thursday, building shelters for the homeless around the Vatican, and launching meal programmes for the hungry. He ruffled feathers in powerful corners of the Church — particularly in the United States — when he opened the door to blessings for same-sex couples, famously declaring, “Who am I to judge?” A staunch environmentalist, he issued a landmark encyclical calling to care for nature.
He took the name Francis in honour of St. Francis of Assisi — a priest known for his devotion to the poor and his love for nature. Even in his travels, he left a trail of humility.
During his 2015 visit to Sri Lanka, he celebrated mass in both Colombo and Mannar, drawing immense crowds and touching countless lives. One such story comes from Captain Druvi Perera, pilot of the SriLankan Airlines flight that carried the Pope back from Colombo. “When the Pope was asked if he’d like a drink,” Captain Perera told this paper, “he asked the stewardess for a recommendation.
When she said pomegranate juice was good for his health, he simply smiled and said, ‘I’ll have that then.’” At the end of the flight, the Pope visited the cockpit to thank the crew and gently reminded them, “Don’t forget to pray for me.” Pope Francis’ funeral is expected to take place later this week.
The College of Cardinals will soon assemble in Rome to elect his successor. All Cardinals, under the age of 80, are eligible to vote in the conclave. Representing Sri Lanka will be Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith, who also participated in the 2013 conclave that elected Francis.
by Rex Clementine.
