‘A Pope of the People': Mumbai's catholics who met Pope Francis remember him as ‘a champion of those pushed to the periphery of society'

Indian Express

21-04-2025

After a prolonged illness, Pope Francis passed away in Rome on Monday. He was 88. While the Holy Father never visited India, many from Mumbai had the opportunity to meet him.
Among them was Fr Joshan Rodrigues, Editor-in-Chief of 'The Examiner' — the 175-year-old Catholic newsweekly and official magazine of the Archdiocese of Bombay. He spent three years in Rome, from 2015 to 2018, while pursuing a master's degree in Social and Institutional Communications. During this time, he encountered Pope Francis on multiple occasions and participated in his Masses and public audiences.
'What struck me always was the radiant glow that emanated from his person, like a sign of holiness. My fondest memory is when I accidentally met him outside the lift at Casa Santa Marta — his residence — and I was able to kiss his hand and take his blessings,' he said.
Calling him 'a Pope of the People', he said that his teachings and sermons were always a hit, because he spoke the people's language and used anecdotes and illustrations drawn from people's daily lives. 'He was a champion of those who had been pushed to the periphery of society, whether it was the poor, migrants, those of an LGBTQ orientation and the elderly. He empowered women. There are many women today in leading positions in the Vatican due to his vision.'
'One of the early memorable moments of his papacy was that his first foreign trip outside of Italy after he became Pope was to Lampedusa, an island in southern Italy, the port of entry to Europe for hundreds of thousands of men, women and children fleeing violence, climate change and poverty,' he noted, adding that the Pope had a desire to visit India, and Christians in India fervently looked forward to that visit but it never took place.
Oswald Cardinal Gracias, president of the Catholic Bishops of India (CBCI) Delhi, who met the Pope two weeks ago in Rome, shared that they were great friends (Express Photo)
Mumbai-based independent journalist, author and oral historian Jane Borges met Pope Francis two years ago at the Vatican when she was invited to a conference in Rome titled Global Aesthetics of the Catholic Literary Imagination to talk about her debut novel 'Bombay Balchão', which is set in a Catholic neighbourhood in Mumbai.
Recalling that day, she said, 'On the last day of the event, conference participants were told that they would get an audience with the Pope. The Pope had been unwell even then, but didn't cancel the commitment. He wanted to speak to us — all writers, poets, artists and filmmakers whose works drew from their Catholic experience. Pope Francis was a professor of literature and it explains why he attached so much value to what we did. In his speech at the gathering, he spoke about the need for artistes 'to dream, to be restless, to conjure up words and visions that can help us interpret the mystery of human life and guide our societies towards beauty and universal fraternity'.
Her friends had requested her to carry rosaries for them so that the Holy Father could bless him. 'Many of them were not even Catholic, but had seen in him a beacon of hope and love at a time when world leaders invite little confidence. When my turn came to meet him, I nervously brought my hands forward, wondering what he'd think about the rosaries I was holding. He reached out to shake my hands. I said something to him, I can't remember what. But he listened patiently, latching on to every word I said, and then smiled. It's a smile I don't think I will ever forget,' she added.
On Monday evening, a holy mass was held at the Cathedral of The Holy Name in Colaba to mourn the death of Pope Francis. A heartfelt remembrance of his legacy, it included prayers for the people and a reflection by the bishop on the profound impact Pope Francis had on the Church and the world.
Dean of Xavier Institute of Communications (XIC), Sandra D'Souza Rana, who also produced the movie 'Face of the Faceless', met the Pope in November 2023 while presenting the film to him. 'The moment felt truly divine — his angelic smile, humble demeanour, and deeply empathetic presence reflected the soul of a true shepherd. His warmth, gentle touch, and spiritual aura created an indescribable connection that I will forever cherish. It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience, filled with grace and reverence, leaving me with a deep sense of privilege and blessing. Words fall short of capturing the holiness of that encounter,' said Rana, speaking alongside Shaison P Ouseph, Associate Dean of XIC and director of the film, at the mass.
Oswald Cardinal Gracias, president of the Catholic Bishops of India (CBCI) Delhi, who met the Pope two weeks ago in Rome, shared that they were great friends. 'We often discussed matters that concerned people who are suffering, things that are insensitive in the world,' he said, adding, 'He was a good friend! We talked a lot, we joked about things, we argued, we differed… we had a personal bond. And, he had great love for India.'