Stalin hails late Pope Francis; pays tributes

Hailing Pope Francis in a memorial event on Wednesday, Chief Minister M.K. Stalin said that his legacy as a symbol of love and peace would live for a long time.

“His [the late Pope Francis’] voice against violence, hatred and war would continue to be heard. Long live the legacy of the great man, who initiated major changes. Let a world of peace be created and filled with love,” Mr. Stalin added.

At the event, organised by the Tamil Nadu Conference of Religious India and the Jesuit Chennai Province on the Loyola College campus in Chennai, Mr. Stalin recalled that the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly adopted a condolence resolution over the Pope’s passing, and that a Minister and a legislator had paid tributes to the mortal remains in Vatican city on behalf of the Tamil Nadu government.

The Chief Minister further recalled that the late Pope was scheduled to visit India next year, and pointed out that he had a habit of meeting leaders of other faiths. “When there were disputes between two religious communities, he [the Pope] had brokered peace. With his visits to Islamic countries, he intended to bring people together in love and peace. He was of the idea that love should be the symbol of religious faiths,” Mr. Stalin added.

Minister S.M. Nasar; Chennai Central MP Dayanidhi Maran; legislators N. Ezhilan and S. Inigo Irudayaraj, State Minorities Commission chairperson Fr. Joe Arun were present. Loyola College Rector Rev. Antony Robinson, S.J., Provincial of Jesuit Chennai Province Fr. L. Jebamalai Irudayaraj, S.J., Superior General of the Franciscan Sisters of St. Joseph Rev. Sr. M. Arokiam, F.S.J., TNCRI president Sr. Maria Philomi, F.B.S. were also present.