Image courtesy of the Roman Catholic Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue.

Pope Francis passed away on Monday, April 21st, the day after Easter Sunday. His Holiness had briefly greeted the crowds gathered in St. Peter’s Square for Easter Sunday celebrations. Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio on December 17, 1936, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, he was 88 years old and had served as the Bishop of Rome since 2013.

The spiritual leader of 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide leaves behind a legacy of faith, compassion, and interfaith dialogue. As the 266th pope of the Roman Catholic Church, his leadership was characterized by inclusivity and a commitment to promoting unity among diverse religious traditions.

During a 2024 visit to Singapore, a country with contingents of at least five different religions, Pope Francis stated that “all religions are a path to God.”  Further stating, “They [religions] are like different languages in order to arrive at God, but God is God for all.”

ISKCON Communications issued a statement honoring his contributions, saying in part:
”Pope Francis was a visionary leader who dedicated his life not only to strengthening the Catholic Church but also to fostering unity among people of all faiths. He made historic strides in interfaith dialogue, strengthening bonds between many different religious communities and promoting mutual respect and understanding.”

The statement continued, “Pope Francis also valued dialogue with Hindu leaders, including Vaishnavas, as demonstrated during a 2023 interfaith gathering in Lisbon, Portugal. He welcomed Hindu delegations to the Vatican and hosted other meetings, fostering discussions on shared principles such as compassion, environmental stewardship, and nonviolence…His voice on secular matters, including his environmental encyclical Laudato Si’, championed global ethical concerns that resonate deeply with many traditions, including Vaishnava Hindus.”

Parabhakti Dasa (Mauro Bombieri), Director of ISKCON Communications for Italy, noted: “Pope Francis was a sincere devotee of God, a man of faith whose heart always beat for dialogue, inclusion, and unity among theistic religions. His dedication extended not only to the religious community but also to a society in crisis—often lost in trends that prioritize materialism over spirituality, yet fail to provide the true joy that humanity seeks. His tireless commitment and radiant smile will forever remain a source of inspiration. May the spiritual embrace of the Italian Congregation for Krishna Consciousness, the global ISKCON community, and the entire Vaiṣṇava tradition reach him and all Christians.”

Yudhistir Govinda Dasa, Director of Communications for ISKCON India, said, “I was saddened to learn about the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis earlier today. I fondly recall my meeting with him, his commitment to further interfaith harmony, promoting environmental initiatives, and pushing the cause of peace,” he continued, “I remember his words from our interaction, calling on people of faith to come together to tackle the global issues impacting all of us. He leaves behind a rich legacy of service. My condolences to the global Catholic community and prayers for strength in this hour of grief.”

Yudhistir Govinda Dasa greeting Pope Francis in Lisbon.

A Period of Transition
Francis’ body will lie in state this week at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, where nearly 100 popes are buried. His funeral is scheduled for Saturday, April 26th. In keeping with his personal devotion to Mary, the mother of Jesus, Pope Francis chose to break with tradition, requesting instead to be buried at the Basilica of St. Mary Major, also in Rome. The ancient Byzantine icon of Mary, which he frequently visited before and after his travels, resides there.

Following the passing of the pope, the Church enters a period known as sede vacante, which indicates that the papal office is vacant. During this time, governance is entrusted to the College of Cardinals, comprising over 250 church leaders from more than 90 countries across seven continents. A select group of over 135 eligible cardinals representing around 65 nations will convene in a few weeks to elect his successor.

For the full statement from ISKCON Communications, click यहाँ.