India (Commonwealth Union)_ Pope Francis, whose papacy marked a transformative era for the Catholic Church and was noted for his outreach across cultures and continents, passed away on Monday at the age of 88 following a battle with double pneumonia. Among the many global connections he fostered, his bond with India stood out as one rooted in deep spiritual engagement and complex challenges, yet it remained incomplete, marked by his long-cherished but unfulfilled visit to the country. Pope Francis’ bond with India was profound, characterized by key moments that inspired the country’s Catholic community. Among these were significant canonisations and the elevation of Indian clergy to the College of Cardinals.
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During his pontificate, Francis advanced the sainthood causes of several revered Indian figures. In 2014, he canonised Fr Kuriakose Elias Chavara and Sister Euphrasia Eluvathingal, both from Kerala. Five years later, in 2019, he declared Mariam Thresia, another Kerala-born nun, a saint during a ceremony at St Peter’s Basilica in Rome. A historic milestone came in 2022 when Blessed Devasahayam Pillai, an 18th-century convert to Christianity, became the first Indian layperson to be canonised. His canonisation, alongside nine others, underscored Pope Francis’ inclusive vision for sainthood within the Catholic world. Equally significant was the list of Indian cardinals elevated by Pope Francis. In a grand consistory held on December 7, 2024, he named 51-year-old George Jacob Koovakad a Cardinal, a moment of immense pride for India’s Catholic community. The ceremony at St Peter’s Basilica was attended by global dignitaries and a high-level Indian delegation, including Union Minister George Kurian, who met the Pope ahead of the event.
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Koovakad, originally from the Archdiocese of Changanassery in Kerala, had been a key figure in the Vatican, notably organizing the Pope’s international travels since 2020. Previously holding the title of Monsignor and serving as the Titular Archbishop of Nisibis in Turkey, his elevation brought the number of Indian Cardinals to six, increasing India’s influence within the global Catholic hierarchy. Despite these symbolic gestures and strong ties, Pope Francis never fulfilled his desire to visit India. Speaking to reporters, Cardinal Koovakad expressed uncertainty about the timeline, hinting that any potential visit might happen after 2025 due to the Jubilee Year celebrations in Rome. However, he did not rule out a future visit entirely.
Pope Francis’ relationship with the Indian Church was not without difficulties. His attempts to mediate the longstanding dispute in the Syro-Malabar Church, one of India’s major Eastern Catholic churches, saw limited success. The conflict centered around the implementation of a uniform Holy Mass format, known as the “50:50 formula,” which faced significant resistance in the Ernakulam-Angamaly Archdiocese. The crisis led to the 2023 resignation of Cardinal George Alencherry as Major Archbishop amid internal dissent and controversies, including disputes over land deals. Later, a turbulent period saw the appointment of Bishop Raphael Thattil as his successor. As the world reflects on the legacy of Pope Francis, his bond with India, woven through acts of spiritual recognition, ecclesiastical empowerment, and a journey left incomplete, will remain a significant chapter in his global ministry.
