In a heartfelt gesture of respect and unity, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Thiru M.K. Stalin paid tribute to the late Pope Francis during a solemn memorial service held at Loyola College, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, south India on April 30.
The event was jointly organized by the Tamil Nadu Conference of Religious (TNCR) and the Jesuits of Chennai Province.
The Chief Minister offered floral tributes before a portrait of Pope Francis, honoring the beloved pontiff’s enduring legacy of compassion, inclusion, and justice. The ceremony reflected a powerful moment of solidarity between Church and State, underscoring Tamil Nadu’s commitment to religious harmony.
Dignitaries present included Thiru Dayanidhi Maran, Member of Parliament for Minorities; MLAs Thiru Inigo Irudayaraj and Maru. N. Ezhilan; Greater Chennai Corporation Standing Committee Chairman Thiru Ne. Chitrarasu; and Father Joe Arun, Chairman of the Tamil Nadu State Minorities Commission.
Representatives from the Church and academia were also in attendance, including Father Antony Robinson, Principal of Loyola College; Father Jebamalai Raja, Jesuit Provincial; Sr. Arockiam, Superior General of the Franciscan Sisters of St. Aloysius Gonzaga; and Sr. Philomena, President of TNCR, among others.
The tribute served not only to honor Pope Francis but also to reaffirm the values of peace, dialogue, and unity that he championed throughout his papacy. - Fr. Ritchie Vincent, secretary, Commission for Social Communications
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