Telangana civil society organisations remember Pope Francis as a transformative figure-OxBig News Network

The death of Pope Francis has evoked deep sorrow among communities across Telangana, with civil society organisations remembering him as a transformative figure whose life was devoted to justice, compassion and interfaith harmony.

Deepak John, Chairman of the Telangana Christian Minorities Finance Corporation, echoed the sentiment. “The passing away of His Holiness Pope Francis is sad news for the Roman Catholic Church and an irreparable loss to humanity,” he said.

He also noted the Pope’s strong advocacy for religious freedom, his opposition to anti-Semitism and his concern for global crises such as those in Gaza and Ukraine. “He truly believed that there can be no peace without freedom of religion, freedom of thought, freedom of expression and respect for others.”

Meday Rajiv Sagar, former chairman of Telangana Foods, expressed shock at the Pope’s demise, calling it an irreparable loss to society. Recalling his decade-long papacy, Mr. Rajiv said Pope Francis had emerged as a global spiritual leader who championed the rights of the poor, refugees and women.

He also highlighted the Pope’s efforts to promote peace and religious dialogue, recalling his signing of the Abu Dhabi Peace Agreement in 2019 with Muslim leaders, an unprecedented move in Catholic history. “Through his actions and reforms, he served not just the Church but all of humanity,” he added.

In a message of solidarity, the COVA Peace Network’s Mazhar Hussain described the passing of the Pope as “a time of grief for all of us”, extending condolences to Catholic communities around the world. The group called on people of all faiths to honour Pope Francis’ dream of ‘a humanity united in respect, harmony and love through the actions we take in our shared world’.