-By A LeN Special Correspondent
(Lanka-e-News -26.April.2025, 10.45 PM) - Vatican City - Sri Lanka’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Labour, and Tourism, Hon Vijitha Herath, travelled to the Vatican today to pay the nation’s final respects to His Holiness Pope Francis, who passed away earlier this week.
In a solemn and poignant ceremony at St Peter’s Basilica, where the late Pontiff’s body lies in state, Minister Herath, as the official envoy of the Government of Sri Lanka, offered floral tributes and observed a moment of silent reflection. Representing both the government and the Sri Lankan people, Hon Herath conveyed deep condolences to the Holy See and the global Catholic community mourning the loss of a spiritual leader revered across continents.
The Foreign Ministry had earlier announced that Minister Herath would undertake this symbolic journey on behalf of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and the Sri Lankan Cabinet, underscoring the close and longstanding ties between Sri Lanka and the Vatican.
Pope Francis, the 266th successor to St Peter, had a deep and abiding affection for Sri Lanka, famously visiting the island in 2015. His papacy, marked by compassion, humility, and a fearless commitment to social justice, had left an indelible imprint on the hearts of many Sri Lankans, irrespective of faith.
The passing of Pope Francis has unleashed an unprecedented wave of grief across the world. Heads of state, religious dignitaries, and millions of ordinary faithful have flocked to Rome to pay homage to a man often hailed as the "Pope of the Poor." His tenure was characterised by an unflinching advocacy for the marginalised, efforts to heal divisions within the Church, and outspoken concern over the pressing issues of climate change, migration, and global inequality.
Throughout the day, the grand avenues leading to St Peter’s Square were awash with throngs of mourners, candles, and banners bearing messages of gratitude and sorrow. Dressed in a sombre grey suit, Minister Herath joined the endless procession of dignitaries who approached the bier to bow their heads in silent tribute.
In an official statement issued upon the announcement of the Holy Father’s demise, Minister Herath described Pope Francis as "a towering moral figure who inspired hope across the divisions of race, creed, and nation." The Minister recalled the Pope's historic visit to Sri Lanka, where he canonised Saint Joseph Vaz, the island’s first saint, and urged reconciliation in the aftermath of the civil conflict.
"His Holiness championed peace and understanding, values that resonate profoundly within our own national journey," Mr Herath said.
Today’s tribute at the Basilica was therefore more than ceremonial: it was the expression of a heartfelt bond between a grieving nation and a spiritual leader whose gentle words and unwavering compassion had reached even the farthest shores.
The atmosphere within St Peter’s was thick with emotion as mourners, including foreign delegations, clergy, and the laity, moved quietly along the nave towards the raised dais where the Pope’s body lay. Draped in white vestments, a simple pastoral staff by his side, Pope Francis appeared in death as he had in life — humble, serene, and resolute.
The Sri Lankan flag, discreetly carried by an aide, was laid at a designated place among many such tokens of homage from the world’s nations. Mr Herath, pausing briefly before the catafalque, offered a low bow, his hands folded in the traditional greeting of respect.
A brief liturgical service, led by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals, followed the homage, with prayers offered in Latin, Italian, Spanish, and English. The solemnity of the occasion was accentuated by the resonant tones of the basilica's great organ and the murmured prayers of the faithful.
Elsewhere in the Basilica, ministers, monarchs, and presidents from across the globe gathered to reflect on the legacy of the man who had sought to bridge the chasm between modernity and tradition. US President, French President, Indian Prime Minister, and representatives from Africa, Asia, and the Middle East were present, each adding their voice to the universal chorus of grief and gratitude.
The Vatican has announced that the funeral Mass, to be presided over by Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, will be held on the 30th of April, with an expected attendance of over one million people.
Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Pope Francis rose from modest beginnings to become the first Jesuit Pope and the first from the Americas. His papacy — revolutionary in its simplicity — embraced a spirit of humility that eschewed many traditional trappings of papal grandeur. He chose a modest guesthouse over the Apostolic Palace and was often seen carrying his own briefcase.
His encyclicals, notably Laudato Si’ and Fratelli Tutti, called for urgent ecological action and fraternal solidarity in a world torn by strife and indifference.
In Sri Lanka, where he advocated for post-war reconciliation, his words found particular resonance among those striving for unity after decades of conflict.
Speaking to journalists after the ceremony, Minister Herath reaffirmed Sri Lanka’s commitment to the values cherished by Pope Francis.
"In a world fraught with division and despair, His Holiness stood as a beacon of compassion and justice. As we mourn, we must also resolve to carry forward the ideals he so valiantly championed," Mr Herath said.
The Foreign Ministry also confirmed that a special mass will be held at St Lucia’s Cathedral in Colombo, inviting dignitaries, clergy, and the faithful to commemorate the life and legacy of the departed Pontiff.
As dusk fell over the Eternal City, the lights of St Peter’s Basilica cast a golden glow across the thronging crowds, a silent testament to a life that had touched millions. For Sri Lanka, as for the world, the passing of Pope Francis marks the end of a remarkable era — but his vision for a more compassionate and just world lives on.
Minister Vijitha Herath’s tribute, simple yet profound, echoed the sentiments of a nation in mourning: profound respect, enduring gratitude, and an abiding commitment to the message of love and peace that Pope Francis so tirelessly preached.
-By A LeN Special Correspondent
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by (2025-04-26 17:19:35)
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