From the very beginning of his pontificate in 2013, Pope Francis demonstrated his affection for India. He appointed Cardinal Oswald Gracias to his closest advisory group of seven cardinals — a relationship he maintained until the end of his life. In a move that astonished many, Pope Francis also elevated two more Indian bishops to the cardinalate in the same consistory of June 2023: Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrão of Goa and Cardinal Anthony Poola of Hyderabad — remarkable for a country where Catholics make up just about 2% of the population. Moreover, just months before his death, on January 24, 2025, Pope Francis named a young Indian priest, Rev. George Jacob Koovakad, as Cardinal — a testament to his enduring trust and affection for the Indian Church.In his historic efforts to renew the Church through the Synodal process, Pope Francis made space for India’s vibrant religious life. Two Indian religious sisters, Sr. Nirmalini and Sr. Lalita, participated prominently in the Vatican’s synodal discussions, representing the strength and spirit of India’s 130,000-strong religious communities. His personal appeal in December 2023 to the priests, religious, and faithful of the Syro-Malabar Church to unite and follow their Synod’s decisions reflected the deep paternal care he felt for the Indian Church — an unprecedented gesture of closeness.Pope Francis often spoke with great affection about India’s beloved saint of the poor, St. Mother Teresa, whose life of compassion and service profoundly inspired him. During his papacy, he canonized several Indian saints: Mother Teresa (2016), St. Kuriakose Elias Chavara and St. Euphrasia (2014), St. Mariam Thresia (2019), and St. Devasahayam Pillai (2021), while also beatifying many others, opening pathways to future sainthood.
Source link
