Colombo mourns the pontiff who stood by nation in its darkest hour

For days, Catholics and non-Catholics alike have been paying tribute to Pope Francis. A ‘national day of mourning’ has been declared to coincide with the funeral. Cardinal Ranjith recalls the support given to the victims of the Easter massacre. For President Dissanayake, he was an example of ‘compassion, justice and interreligious harmony’ for all the people.

Colombo (AsiaNews) - In Sri Lanka, people have been talking for days about the passing of Pope Francis, an event that has affected not only Catholics but all citizens of the country who saw in the pontiff an example of humility, a defender of peace and human dignity, an example of morality in a turbulent phase.

Tomorrow, 26 April, to coincide with the funeral, the government has declared a ‘day of national mourning’; today, all Catholic schools remain closed as ordered by the Department of Education of the Archdiocese of Colombo, with Vatican flags at half-mast and religious services in all churches to honour his memory. Masses are also planned for tomorrow in all the dioceses of the island, while the solemn celebration is scheduled to take place in St. Lucia's Cathedral in Colombo at 6 p.m.

Before leaving for Rome to attend the funeral and take part in the conclave to choose the successor, Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith released a video message in which he recalled the Argentine pope's 2015 trip to the Philippines, which also included a visit to Sri Lanka.

The cardinal went on to emphasise his ‘concern’ about the attacks on Easter Sunday 2019 and his closeness to the local Catholic community, keeping himself constantly informed of the situation and providing ‘a lot of help. He also gave us the opportunity to meet 41 victims of the attacks in person,’ concluded the Archbishop of Colombo.

Among those who publicly expressed their condolences was Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. In his message, he expressed his gratitude and condolences, adding that ‘the Sri Lankans will remember him as a friend of the people and a beacon of moral clarity in turbulent times.’

‘Pope Francis‘ unwavering commitment to the poor, his tireless call for global unity and his spiritual guidance touched millions of people of all faiths. In Sri Lanka, his memory is cherished with particular affection,’ the statement continued. ‘May his legacy of compassion, justice and interreligious harmony continue to inspire generations to come,’ the president concluded.

In recent days, AsiaNews has met and collected testimonies from Catholic and non-Catholic leaders and personalities who wish to remember the example and legacy of the pontiff, as well as to thank him for his testimony of deep faith.

Fr Hari Haran, director of catechesis and youth minister for the diocese of Ratnapura, said that ‘as a theologian and someone who studied his important writings closely during his pontificate, I feel that this is a great loss for all humanity. I will remember him for a long time,’ he continues, “as a pope of hope alongside the least among us: the poor, the marginalised and migrants. In a world dominated by indifference, he spoke of mercy. When people began to hate their Muslim brothers because of ISIS, he stood by them and began to build bridges. He worked hard,” he concludes, ’to implement the teachings of the Second Vatican Council.’

Sister Deepa Fernando, a nun and rights activist in Colombo, describes Pope Francis as ‘one of the most extraordinary human beings I have ever met in my life. I deeply admire his profound commitment to justice and reconciliation. His love for the poor is a powerful reflection of Jesus’ mission. His concern for those suffering in conflict-ridden regions such as Gaza, the Middle East and other parts of the world highlights his compassionate and inclusive vision. I was particularly moved when he said he preferred a ‘Church that is bruised’ to a ‘Church that is sick’: a strong reminder of the Church's mission to be present among the marginalised, even at the cost of its own well-being.’

The Pope's death has also left a deep mark on the faithful of other religions, including the Venerable Madampagama Assaji Mahanayaka Thero, co-president, and Rev. Fr. Anura Perera, secretary, of the Dharmashakthi Sri Lanka organisation. ‘He fought for justice and equality for all nations and religions, and above all for peace in the world in countries torn apart by war. He was a great man,’ they say, ’who worked hard to resolve conflicts caused by power struggles between countries and comforted the poor of the world when they needed someone to care for them.’

Abdul Rahman, a sheikh and activist in the Negombo region, said: ‘On behalf of the Muslim community, we offer our deepest condolences on the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis. His commitment to interfaith dialogue, compassion and social justice inspired many around the world. He upheld the values of understanding, peace and love, promoting unity between different faiths. At this time of grief, we honour his legacy of promoting harmony and kindness,’ the Islamic leader concluded.

Finally, the Christian Women's Movement (MoCWV) issued a brief statement on the Pope's death, recalling Laudato Si' on our common home and his work on behalf of creation, human beings and animals, as well as his call to care for the environment.