Church in Vigil: Syro-Malankara Catholic Church Unites in Prayer for the Departed Soul of Pope Francis

Pattom, Trivandrum – 21 April 2025

As the Church Universal grieves the passing of Pope Francis, the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church stands in solemn remembrance, prayer, and deep spiritual solidarity.

On the evening of 21 April 2025, His Eminent Beatitude Cardinal Moran Mor Baselios Cleemis Catholicos, Major Archbishop-Catholicos of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church, presided over a prayer vigil at the St. Mary’s Major Archbishop’s Cathedral, Pattom. This marked the official beginning of memorial observances across all ecclesiastical jurisdictions of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church in honour of His Holiness Pope Francis, who passed away at the Vatican.

In a heartfelt message, His Beatitude announced that he would depart for Rome on 22 April 2025 to represent the entire Syro-Malankara Catholic Church at the funeral services. He also exhorted all clergy, religious, and laity to offer heartfelt prayers and appropriate liturgical observances for the repose of the Holy Father’s soul.

Key Observances Announced by the Major Archbishop-Catholicos

• Wednesday, 24 April 2025 has been designated as a day of solemn remembrance across all institutions of the Church, including religious congregations, educational institutions, and ecclesiastical offices. All faithful are encouraged to participate in Holy Qurbono and prayer services in local parishes.
• On Monday, 29 April 2025, a centralised Requiem Holy Qurbono and memorial service will be held at St. Mary’s Cathedral, Pattom, presided over by the bishops of the Church. This will serve as the official ecclesial homage from the entire Syro-Malankara Catholic Church.
• All ecclesiastical districts, parishes, and institutions have been asked to organise memorial prayers, public rosaries, and incense offerings during this period of mourning.

The circular also instructed all Malankara Bible Orientation Camp (MBOCs) to cancel regular sessions scheduled for the days of observance, allowing their members to participate fully in Church-led commemorations.

In his concluding remarks, His Beatitude invited the faithful to lift up Pope Francis in prayer—not merely as a Pontiff, but as a shepherd who, in word and deed, embraced the peripheries, touched wounds with compassion, and led the flock with unwavering fidelity to Christ.

“Let our prayer rise like incense. Let our unity in sorrow become a sign of our communion with the Church Universal. And let us commend to the Lord’s mercy the soul of the Servant of Servants,” wrote His Beatitude, signing off with a shepherd’s blessing.