Tsering Dhundup
DHARAMSHALA, April 21: The Tibetan spiritual leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama has expressed profound sadness over the passing of Pope Francis, the sovereign of Vatican state, through a message that encapsulates the late pontiff’s legacy of humility and service.
The 88-year-old head of the Roman Catholic Church died Monday morning at 7:35 am local time, according to a statement by the Vatican.
In a letter addressed to the most reverend Leopoldo Girelli, the Apostolic Nuncio to India, the Dalai Lama reflected on Pope Francis’s life of service and simplicity. “His Holiness Pope Francis dedicated himself to the service of others,” the Dalai Lama wrote, “consistently revealing by his own actions how to live a simple, but meaningful life. The best tribute we can pay to him is to be a warm-hearted person, serving others wherever and in whatever way we can.”
The Tibetan spiritual leader also mentioned that he offered prayers and condolences to his “spiritual brothers, sisters and to his followers around the world. “
The relationship between the two religious leaders was marked by mutual respect, with both men advocating for interfaith dialogue and compassion across religious boundaries. The Dalai Lama’s message emphasizes what he saw as Pope Francis’s essential teaching: that service to others represents the highest spiritual calling.
In response to the pontiff’s passing, the Tibetan community in Dharamsala, India, has organized a memorial service at the Tsuglagkhang, the Main Tibetan Temple, bringing together Buddhist practitioners to honor the Catholic leader.
Pope Francis, who became the first Latin American pope when elected in 2013, was known for his humble demeanour and deep commitment to social justice. Throughout his 12-year papacy, he frequently visited impoverished communities, earning the nickname “the pope of the slums” for his advocacy for the marginalized.
“This morning the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the home of the Father,” said Cardinal Kevin Farrell in the Vatican’s official announcement, as the world begins to mourn a religious leader who challenged his followers to put compassion into action, a sentiment echoed in the Dalai Lama’s tribute.
