Udupi Pays Interfaith Tribute to Pope Francis

Udupi: “In a world torn by hatred and division, Pope Francis stood as a radiant symbol of peace, compassion, and hope,” said Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo, bishop of Udupi diocese. He was addressing an interfaith tribute on April 25, held in memory of the late pontiff, organized by the Udupi Catholic diocese in association with the All-Karnataka Christian Human Rights and Ecumenical Forum.

Bishop Lobo described Pope Francis as a humble and courageous leader whose papacy was deeply rooted in the values of mercy, justice, and care for the marginalized. He praised the Pope’s unwavering commitment to the Gospel and to the poor, the oppressed, and the excluded, noting his actions like visiting prisoners, washing their feet, and comforting refugees—powerful symbols of divine mercy reaching society’s most neglected.

He emphasized Pope Francis’s message of universal brotherhood and environmental stewardship. Through his encyclical Laudato Si’, the Pope championed both social justice and ecological preservation, urging the world to care for creation and respond to the cries of the poor.

Former minister Vinay Kumar Sorake called Pope Francis a bridge between faiths, embodying humanity and love across religious lines. “His life was a testament that God lives among the poor,” Sorake said.

The event also included a tribute to the 29 victims of the recent Pahalgam terror attack. Present were clergy from the Catholic Church and other Christian denominations, affirming the Pope’s legacy of unity.

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