Remembering Pope Francis: A Voice for Humanity

Suresh K.P.
Hon. Secretary
Indian Business and Professional Council

I was honored to meet His Holiness Pope Francis during the ‘All Religion Conference’ held at the Vatican on 30 November 2024. Presided over by His Holiness, the conference centered on the theme, ‘Religions Together for a Better Humanity’, a deeply relevant message of unity in our divided world. During the conference, Pope Francis acknowledged and appreciated the valuable contributions of ancient Indian philosophers to the global spiritual and philosophical landscape.

Despite the tight security surrounding him, I was fortunate enough to shake his hand and exchange a few words. His presence was calm yet commanding, and I was genuinely moved by his steadfast commitment to global peace. As I expressed my support for international peacekeeping efforts and conveyed my solidarity, he responded with warmth and humility. With a gentle smile, he said, “You remember me in your prayers.”

It was a truly unforgettable moment, one I will cherish for the rest of my life.

I had the rare privilege of attending this significant gathering at the Vatican, an honor extended to me through a personal invitation. As an ordinary individual, I am both humbled and profoundly grateful for the opportunity. During our brief conversation, he also extended his warm greetings to the people of Kuwait.

“Religions are like different languages to arrive at God, but God is God for all,” Pope Francis once said, departing from his prepared remarks to speak from the heart. “Since God is God for all, then we are all children of God.”

Before meeting him, I had assumed that Pope Francis, leader of 1.4 billion Catholics, would focus primarily on the Christian world. But in word and deed, he proved to be a shepherd for all humanity, transcending religious boundaries with a message rooted in compassion, dignity, and peace.

A profound example of this was his unwavering advocacy for the people of Gaza. As violence escalated in the region, Pope Francis repeatedly raised his voice for peace, urging the global community to protect civilians and ensure humanitarian access.

Since 9 October 2023, he made it a daily practice to call Gaza’s Holy Family Parish for brief, intimate phone calls at 7pm. He asked simple questions like, “How are you?” and “What did you eat?”, gentle words filled with human warmth that brought comfort to over 600 Christians and Muslims sheltering in the church and adjoining school. According to Vatican News, each call ended with a blessing, the sign of the cross, and a heartfelt thanks in Spanish and Italian, “Muchas gracias, Tante grazie ”

With deep sorrow, I join the world in mourning the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis at the age of 88. He was an authentic voice for the marginalized, a visionary reformer, and a luminous example of what it means to lead with humility and love. His legacy will endure in the hearts of millions across faiths and continents.