With profound sorrow and deep reverence, I mourn the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis — a shepherd of unparalleled compassion, a voice for the voiceless, and a tireless servant of peace.
As a devoted Catholic, I thank God for the gift of his papacy, which illuminated the world with humility, mercy, and unwavering love for all humanity.
I had the profound honour of meeting His Holiness on several occasions, but the moment that will forever be engraved in our hearts was when I had the blessing of introducing him to my family in 2019. We will always cherish the memory of his gentle smile and the warmth of his presence — a light that touched our souls and remains with us to this day.
Pope Francis challenged us to live our faith not only in words but in actions—to care for the poor, the earth, and each other. His legacy is etched in the pages of history and in the hearts of millions who found hope in his gentle strength and fearless grace.
In this time of mourning, I pray that his soul finds eternal rest in the arms of our Lord and that his spirit continues to inspire us to build a more compassionate, just, and united world.
May we carry forward his mission with courage and faith, as true disciples of Christ.
Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. Amen.