Shillong, Apr 27: Chief minister Conrad K Sangma on Saturday joining mourners from around the world at the funeral of Pope Francis at Vatican City.
On his feelings about being at the huge yet solemn occasion, Sangma said he felt deeply blessed to be part of the funeral service.
“I had the opportunity to meet him a couple of years back, and today to be part of the funeral service is very solemn. I truly feel very, very blessed,” he said.
The chief minister highlighted the unifying spirit of Pope Francis, noting that even in death, he continued to bring people together.
“People from all over the world have come to pay their respects to Pope Francis. We will miss him, and may his soul rest in eternal peace,” Sangma said.
Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, was elected as the Pope of the Roman Catholic Church on March 13, 2013. He was widely revered for his humility, advocacy for the poor, and commitment to interfaith dialogue.
He served as the spiritual leader of over a billion Catholics worldwide until his passing on April 21, 2025 (Easter Monday) at the age of 88 years.
He was the first Jesuit pope, the first from the Americas, the first from the Southern Hemisphere, and the first born or raised outside of Europe since the 8th-century Syrian pope Gregory III. Remembered for his leadership and compassion, Pope Francis was celebrated for his ability to unite diverse communities through his message of peace, inclusivity, and service.
