Major Archbishop Mar Raphael Thattil of the Syro-Malabar Church offered a heartfelt message of condolence following the death of Pope Francis, reflecting on the Pope's profound empathy and connection with ordinary people. In his tribute, Mar Raphael emphasized that Pope Francis was not just a spiritual leader but a compassionate figure who made the struggles of the marginalized central to his mission.

“He was a Pope who loved to listen—not just hear, but truly listen—and to see people for who they were, in all their dignity and suffering,” said Mar Raphael. “His death is a deep personal loss, and the grief I feel today is shared by countless others across the world.”

The Major Archbishop described Pope Francis as a revolutionary figure in the Church, one who did not confine theology to doctrine alone but instead found divine meaning in the hardships and hopes of everyday people. “The pain of the people was his Bible,” he stated, highlighting how Pope Francis often prioritized social justice, inclusion, and compassion over formality and tradition.

Mar Raphael recalled how Pope Francis consistently advocated for the poor, the voiceless, and those living on the peripheries of society. Whether speaking out against economic inequality or welcoming refugees, the late pontiff embodied a theology of mercy and simplicity. “He wanted a Church that was stripped of excessive grandeur, closer to the ground, closer to the people,” said the Archbishop.

In closing, Mar Raphael Thattil honored Pope Francis not just as a global religious leader but as a humble servant of humanity. “He carried the weight of the world’s pain on his shoulders, and through that, he showed us what it truly means to lead like Christ.”