Pope Francis’s Funeral Tomorrow, Assam Announces Mourning Day

Pope Francis’s Funeral: Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Argentina, was the first Latin American and the first pope from the Americas.

Assam will observe state mourning tomorrow as a mark of respect for Pope Francis, who passed away on Monday morning at the age of 88 and will be laid to rest tomorrow in Vatican.

The state government has announced that the National Flag will be flown at half-mast on all government buildings throughout Assam, including Assam Houses in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, and Shillong where the National Flag is regularly hoisted. In addition, there will be no official entertainment events on the day.

To honor the memory of the beloved pontiff, the Assam Christian Forum, in collaboration with the North East India Regional Bishops Council, CRI, and the Archdiocese of Guwahati, is organizing a special Memorial Service. The event will take place on 26 April at 5:00 PM at Don Bosco Higher Secondary School Hall in Panbazar, Guwahati.

Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Argentina, was the first Latin American and the first pope from the Americas.

He was elected the 266th pope of the Roman Catholic Church in 2013 following the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI. Known for his humility, progressive outlook, and deep compassion, Pope Francis led the 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide for 12 years.

Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the Vatican Camerlengo, officially announced the pope’s demise, stating, “At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the home of the Father. His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and of his Church.”

Remarkably, just a day before his passing, Pope Francis made a surprise public appearance on Easter Sunday, delighting a crowd of over 35,000 at St. Peter’s Square. Although he did not celebrate the Mass, which was led by Cardinal Angelo Comastri, the pope greeted the faithful from his popemobile, blessing infants and waving to the jubilant crowd.

The service is open to all and is expected to be a solemn gathering of prayers, reflections, and testimonials celebrating the life and teachings of Pope Francis. The Assam Christian Forum has extended a heartfelt invitation to members of all communities to participate in this commemorative event.

Pope Francis was widely recognized for steering the Church towards greater openness. His notable reforms included allowing blessings for same-sex couples in specific cases, appointing women to leadership positions within the Vatican, and promoting interfaith dialogue. Over the course of his papacy, he made 47 foreign visits to more than 65 countries, created over 900 saints, and authored several major doctrinal texts.

As Assam joins the global community in mourning the loss of a visionary leader, the state mourning and memorial service on 26 April will provide a meaningful opportunity for reflection on Pope Francis’s profound spiritual legacy.

Also Read: Pope Francis Dies at 88 in Vatican

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