“This morning at 7.35 am (0535 GMT) the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the home of the Father,” said Cardinal Kevin Farrell in the statement. He had been fighting age-related ailments for quite some time. Also Read: Pope Francis ordains Monsignor George Jacob Koovakkad as a Cardinal Prayed for global peace In his Easter sermon, Pope Francis had prayed for peace in the world, especially in the conflict-torn Middle East nations. “His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and of His Church. He taught us to live the values of the Gospel with fidelity, courage, and universal love, especially in favour of the poorest and most marginalised. With immense gratitude for his example as a true disciple of the Lord Jesus, we commend the soul of Pope Francis to the infinite merciful love of the One and Triune God,” said Kevin Farrel. Cardinal Mar Cleemis, Archbishop, Catholicos of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church, told the media that the Pope had always expressed a deep interest in visiting India. “He held a great vision for the country and immense respect for its people,” the cardinal said. Highlighting the Pope’s inclusive ideology, Cardinal Cleemis noted that he had consistently intervened to support the poor and marginalised, embodying a spirit of compassion and unity. ‘A legacy of empathy’ Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan expressed deep condolences on the passing of Pope Francis, describing him as an exemplary figure who dedicated his life to promoting human love and global peace. In his message, the chief minister highlighted the Pope’s unwavering solidarity with oppressed and exploited communities across the world. He also noted the Pope’s compassionate stance on the plight of the Palestinian people, calling him a guide who stood with those in pain and suffering. “I share in the grief of the global community mourning this loss and extend my condolences to the entire faith community,” he said. “His commitment to LGBTQ+ rights evolved during his papacy, as he sought to foster a more inclusive church. He famously stated that ‘everyone has dignity,’ regardless of their sexual orientation. This message resonated with many who felt alienated by traditional church teachings. “Pope Francis was unflinching in his critique of capitalism, which he viewed as a system that perpetuates inequality and marginalises the poor. He described an economy of exclusion as one that ‘kills’, urging a reevaluation of economic priorities to prioritise human dignity over profit.” “Pope Francis’s legacy is one of profound empathy and action towards creating a more just world. His outreach to diverse communities, commitment to interfaith dialogue, and critique of capitalism will continue to inspire future generations in their pursuit of peace and social justice,” Vijayan added. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said he was deeply saddened by the passing of Pope Francis. “His life was a message of love for the poor and hope for the world. I extend my heartfelt condolences to the Christian community across Karnataka and the globe,” he said in a message on X. Leader of the Opposition in Kerala Assembly VD Satheesan described him as “the eternal light for the faithful,” the Opposition Leader highlighted the Pope’s priestly life of over five and a half decades, marked by humility, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to peace. “He was a great shepherd who lived close to the people’s hearts, a proponent of simple living, and a messenger of peace,” the leader said, adding that Pope Francis will be remembered as the “face of humanity and humanism,” Satheesan said. Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also paid tributes to Pope Francis. Also Read: BJP, Congress lock horns over social media post on Modi-Pope meet ‘Transformative leader’ Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy expressed profound shock and sorrow over the passing of Pope Francis. He paid rich tributes to the Pope, lauding his tireless efforts in championing the cause of social justice and fighting global inequalities. The chief minister highlighted Pope Francis’s remarkable role as a global peacemaker and his unwavering support for refugees and migrants. He noted that the Pope’s inclusive and compassionate approach had left an indelible mark on the world. Describing him as a towering spiritual figure, the chief minister said Pope Francis dedicated his entire life to the service of the Church and humanity. He praised the Pope’s commitment to interfaith harmony, his advocacy for climate change awareness, and his vision of a world united in global solidarity. Calling his passing an irreparable loss to humanity, the chief minister conveyed his deepest condolences to the Pope’s family and the global Catholic community. Senior DMK leader P Wilson expressed profound grief over the passing of Pope Francis, remembering him as a transformative leader of the Catholic Church and a tireless advocate for the poor and marginalised. “With great sorrow, I learn of the passing of ‘Il Papa’. He was a great reformer of the Catholic Church and a champion of the poor and needy. May the Lord grant eternal rest and shine perpetual light on the departed soul. May his soul rest in peace,” Wilson stated in his condolence message. Former BJP Tamil Nadu President K Annamalai expressed deep sorrow over the passing of Pope Francis, stating that the Pope had dedicated his entire life to the service of God and humanity. In his message, Annamalai said, “Saddened to learn of the passing away of Pope Francis, who dedicated his entire life to the service of God and humanity. The Catholic community will remember the Pope for his selfless contributions to uphold peace and harmony.” The AAP said his life of humility, compassion, and service will continue to inspire millions across the world. Union Minister George Kurien expressed deep sorrow over the passing of Pope Francis, calling it a moment of great loss for the global community. “Pope Francis was a man of great heart who loved all people and respected all religions. His demise is very sad and leaves a sense of loss,” Kurien said in a statement. He added that the grief is shared with believers across the world, acknowledging the Pope’s role as a unifying spiritual leader and advocate for peace and compassion. “Saddened by the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis, the first Jesuit and Latin American Pope, whose leadership was defined by humility, compassion, and a deep commitment to the marginalised,” said Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar. “He redefined spiritual leadership with rare courage, embracing the outcast and walking the path of true service. My thoughts and prayers are with all those who mourn his loss worldwide,” he added. ‘Embodiment of peace’ “I am deeply saddened by the passing of Pope Francis, a spiritual leader who inspired millions through his humility, compassion, and message of peace. A beacon of hope, he guided humanity with love and kindness. On behalf of the people of Andhra Pradesh, I extend our heartfelt condolences to the global Catholic community and all those touched by his profound legacy,” said Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu. Tamil Nadu Minister of Information Technology and Digital Services Dr Palanivel Thiaga Rajan (PTR) expressed heartfelt condolences on the passing of Pope Francis, highlighting his lifelong commitment to human dignity and peace. “Today, we mourn the passing of Pope Francis, whose unwavering commitment to human dignity and life touched and transformed millions of hearts. His embodiment of peace and forgiveness as core Christian values inspired believers and non-believers alike. His tireless work for peace and reconciliation, even in his very last days, showed us that another world was possible. May his legacy of compassion continue to guide us forward,” PTR said in his tribute. Andhra Pradesh Information Technology Minister Nara Lokesh said he was deeply saddened by the passing of Pope Francis. “A beacon of compassion, humility, and peace, he touched millions of lives across the globe with his unwavering commitment to humanity and spiritual leadership. His legacy will continue to inspire generations. My heartfelt condolences to the Christian community worldwide. May his soul rest in eternal peace,” he said. “Saddened to hear about the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis. He was a symbol of humility and hope, who inspired millions with his message of love. His legacy will continue to guide the world. May his soul rest in peace,” said Telangana Information Technology Minister Sridhar Babu Duddila.