His Beatitude Cardinal Baselios Cleemis Departs for Rome to Attend the Funeral of Pope Francis

Pattom, Trivandrum – 22 April 2025

As the bells of St. Mary’s Major Archbishop’s Cathedral tolled in quiet mourning, His Eminent Beatitude Cardinal Moran Mor Baselios Cleemis Catholicos, Major Archbishop-Catholicos of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church, departed for Rome to attend the funeral of His Holiness Pope Francis, the 266th successor of St. Peter.

The air carries sorrow, but not despair—grief, but seasoned with faith. For in these days, as the Universal Church prepares to bid farewell to the Bishop of Rome, we witness not only the ending of a life, but the culmination of a vocation lived in mercy, humility, and Marian devotion.

On Wednesday, 23 April, the body of Pope Francis will be transferred from Casa Santa Marta to St. Peter’s Basilica, where the faithful may come and pray beside him—silent pilgrims to a quiet shepherd.

Then, on Saturday, 26 April 2025, at 10:00 AM Vatican Time (1:30 PM IST), the Funeral Mass will be offered in St. Peter’s Square, presided over by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals. Concelebrating with him will be Patriarchs, Cardinals, Archbishops, Bishops, and clergy from across the globe—a living image of the communion which Pope Francis not only preached, but lived: a Church of bridges, not walls.

Among them stands His Beatitude Cardinal Cleemis, bearing in his heart the prayers of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church, and in his presence, our communion with the See of Peter.

The funeral will conclude with the ancient rites of the Ultima commendatio and Valedictio, after which the body of Pope Francis will be brought to St. Mary Major Basilica—his chosen place of rest, in the shadow of Salus Populi Romani, the icon he so often venerated.

Following the funeral, the Church will enter the Novemdiales—nine days of prayer for the repose of his soul. Across our parishes, monasteries, and homes, we, too, will gather in remembrance, offering Holy Qurbono, incense, and prayer.

In mourning, we remain united. In prayer, we remain strong. And in gratitude, we commend Pope Francis—a servant of servants—to the embrace of the Eternal High Priest.