Udupi Diocese Mourns Passing of Pope Francis, Bishop Lobo Offers Condolences
Udupi: The Catholic Diocese of Udupi, under the leadership of Bishop Dr. Gerald Isaac Lobo, has expressed profound sorrow following the death of His Holiness Pope Francis. The Pontiff, the Supreme Leader of the Catholic Church, passed away on Monday, April 21, 2025, at the age of 88 at his residence in the Vatican.
In a formal press release issued from the Bishop’s House, Bishop Lobo conveyed his deepest condolences on behalf of the clergy, religious, and lay faithful of the Udupi Diocese. The statement highlighted Pope Francis’s enduring legacy of humility, compassion, and unwavering dedication to the Gospel.
Pope Francis had been admitted to Gemelli Hospital on February 14, 2025, after experiencing bronchitis. Following a 38-day stay, during which he was diagnosed with bilateral pneumonia, he returned to his Vatican residence at Casa Santa Marta to continue his recovery.
The statement further emphasized Pope Francis’s significant contributions as the 266th successor of St. Peter, leading the Universal Church with a focus on peace, justice, care for the poor, and environmental stewardship. Bishop Lobo underscored the Pope’s role as a beacon of hope, reminding the world of the importance of mercy and compassion.
The press release detailed Pope Francis’s background as Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Buenos Aires, Argentina, highlighting his missionary spirit and commitment to serving the marginalized. It cited key moments from his papacy, beginning on March 13, 2013, including his call to live the joy of the Gospel, embrace the peripheries, and listen with compassion.
Bishop Lobo’s statement acknowledged the Pope’s teachings on mercy, care for the environment, synodality, and the dignity of every human person. Pope Francis’s influential encyclicals, Evangelii Gaudium, Laudato Si’, and Fratelli Tutti, are visionary documents promoting a more just, merciful, and united world.
Along with Bishop Dr. Gerald Lobo, Clergy, Religious, and all Lay Faithful, the Diocese of Udupi mourns the sad demise of the Holy Father and prays that God may grant him an eternal reward for his life of total commitment in the service of the Church and the Lord.
The Diocese of Udupi joins Catholics worldwide in offering prayers for the repose of Pope Francis’s soul.
