PM Modi Pays Tribute To Pope Francis During Vizhinjam Seaport Inauguration

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his visit to Thiruvananthapuram on Friday, expressed his condolences over the passing of Pope Francis, who died on Easter Monday at the age of 88 in Vatican City.

While addressing the gathering at the inauguration of the Vizhinjam seaport, PM Modi stated, “A few days ago, we all had a very sad time. We lost Pope Francis. On behalf of India, President Droupadi Murmu attended the funeral. From the land of Kerala, I once again express my condolences.”

Pope Francis, the head of the Roman Catholic Church, passed away on 21 April 2025, at his residence, the Casa Santa Marta in the Vatican.

The Pope, who had recently been discharged from Rome’s Gemelli Hospital after being treated for an infection leading to double pneumonia, was 88 years old.

Jorge Mario Bergoglio, born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, became a Catholic priest when he was ordained in 1969.

After Pope Benedict XVI’s resignation in 2013, Cardinal Bergoglio was, however, elected as his successor.

He chose the papal name Francis, in homage to Saint Francis of Assisi.

President Droupadi Murmu, however, attended the funeral of Pope Francis on behalf of India on 25 April.

Looking ahead to the election of a new Pope, the College of Cardinals has, however, announced that all 133 cardinal electors are eligible to vote in the upcoming papal conclave, set for 7 May.

Among the cardinal electors are four from India:

• Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrao,
• Cardinal Baselios Cleemis,
• Cardinal Anthony Poola, and
• Cardinal George Jacob Koovakad

How The New Pope Will Be Elected?

To validly elect a new Pope, the electors must reach a two-thirds majority of those present.

After counting the votes, officials burn the ballots.

If the electors fail to reach a decision, they emit black smoke; if they elect a new Pope, they release white smoke.

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