Catholic congregations across the Archdiocese of Hyderabad gathered on Saturday to mourn Pope Francis, joining the live screening of his funeral from St Peter’s Square, Vatican City, and offering Requiem Masses in his memory.
Hyderabad:Catholic congregations across the Archdiocese of Hyderabad gathered on Saturday to mourn Pope Francis, joining the live screening of his funeral from St Peter’s Square, Vatican City, and offering Requiem Masses in his memory.
At the Shrine of Our Lady of Health, Khairtabad, parish priest Fr Michael Selvaraj led a solemn liturgy before the faithful watched the Vatican service on large screens. In his homily, Fr Selvaraj described the late pontiff as “a model of humility who embraced all people without discrimination and tirelessly preached world peace.”
Following the Mass, parishioners carried a large portrait of Pope Francis in a prayerful procession by singing hymns. “The turnout was overwhelming,” said Francis Nitin David, joint secretary of the parish council. “The congregation offered heartfelt prayers for the Holy Father’s departed soul.”
St Mary’s Basilica in Secunderabad celebrated a special Mass. The preacher recalled the Pope’s habit of addressing crowds as “brothers and sisters” and his appeals for peace in conflict zones, including Gaza. Parishioners reflected on his 2019 gesture of kneeling to kiss the feet of South Sudanese leaders to urge unity, and his visits to children with AIDS and cancer at Gemelli Hospital.
Church officials said similar memorial services were held in parishes throughout the archdiocese.
