Pope Francis passes away at 88; Indian cardinals to participate in papal conclave

The death of Pope Francis has triggered the Catholic Church’s solemn and ancient transition process. As Vatican City prepares for the Pope’s funeral, the global attention now turns to the upcoming papal conclave inside the Sistine Chapel, where cardinals from around the world — including India — will gather to elect the next leader of the Catholic Church.

Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires in 1936, passed away on the morning of April 21 at the age of 88. The Vatican confirmed that the cause was a stroke, following a prolonged struggle with chronic lung disease that left him hospitalized for over a month. Despite his deteriorating health, the Pope made a final public appearance on Easter Sunday, addressing thousands from the same gallery where he was first introduced as pontiff in 2013.

India, home to over 20 million Catholics, will play a significant role in the upcoming conclave. Of the six Indian cardinals, four are eligible to vote in the secret ballot. These include Filipe Neri Ferrao, Archbishop of Goa and Daman; Baselios Cleemis, Major Archbishop of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church; George Koovakkad, formerly of the Holy See’s Secretariat of State; and Anthony Poola, Metropolitan Archbishop of Hyderabad and the first Dalit Christian to hold the rank.

The two other Indian cardinals — Oswald Gracias and George Alencherry — are not eligible due to having crossed the age threshold of 80 years.

Cardinal Cleemis described Pope Francis as “a Pope of the people,” noting that his final act was meeting thousands at St. Peter’s Square. “My assessment was always that he would die with the people. And that’s exactly what happened,” Cleemis said.

Cardinal Ferrao remembered the Pope’s affection for India. “He longed to visit the country,” Ferrao recalled, highlighting that Francis canonized five Indian saints during his tenure — including St. Kuriakose Elias Chavara, St. Euphrasia Eluvathingal, and St. Devasahayam Pillai.

Cardinal Alencherry, who participated in the 2013 conclave that elected Francis, will travel to Rome for the funeral. Speaking to reporters, he said, “Pope Francis not only used his brain but also his heart. He served the poor, marginalised, and refugees, and embodied the spirit of St. Francis of Assisi through his love for nature, humility, and compassion.”

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As the Vatican prepares to lay the beloved Pope to rest, the world waits for the College of Cardinals to select his successor — a spiritual decision that will shape the future of the Catholic Church for years to come.