News
Remembering the Pope with special church services and candlelight vigil
View(s):By Tharushi Weerasinghe
Catholics across the island gathered yesterday to mark a day of mourning declared in remembrance of Pope Francis, who passed away last Monday.
A special requiem mass was conducted in St. Lucia’s Cathedral, Kotahena, last evening, celebrated by Apostolic Nuncio to Sri Lanka, the Most Reverend Archbishop Brian Udaigwe.
“This mass for the repose of the soul of Pope Francis will be the National Mass and will be attended by all the Bishops, priests, and nuns,” said Rev. Fr. Jude Krishantha, Director of Mass Communisation for the Catholic Church.
Noting that churches across the island have had services for this purpose, Rev. Fr. Krishantha added that the Church was touched by the efforts taken by temples to carry out rituals to honour the late Pope.
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- In Galle: The service at the Queen of the Holy Rosary Cathedraldrew religious leaders from multiple faiths. Pic by D.G. Sugathapala
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- Candlelight vigil in the North. Pic by Romesh Madushanka
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- Requiem Mass at St Lucia’s Cathedral Kotahena. Pic by Nilan Maligaspe
In Badulla, believers assembled at St. Mary’s Cathedral for a service led by Badulla Bishop Rev. Jude Nishantha. Churches across the district also held remembrance ceremonies. In Galle, at the Queen of the Holy Rosary Cathedral, a service led by Bishop Rev. Raymond Wickramasinghe drew religious leaders from multiple faiths.
On Thursday, families of the disappeared in the North held a candlelight vigil to honour the Pope. “We are praying for the Pope in heaven because he always stood for compassion and love for oppressed communities,” a representative said.
A collection of organisations representing the Muslim community of Sri Lanka expressed their condolences through a letter addressed to the Archdiocese of Colombo. “In a world divided, in unrest and facing unjust conflict, he struggled for every human being calling for an end to human suffering regardless of faith or circumstance, reminding us all of the true nature of God’s work,” the letter stated. It also praised Pope Francis’s legacy, saying his “exemplary principles of compassion, dignity, and unity towards building a just and fair world will inspire current and future generations.”
State institutions and offices across Sri Lanka flew their flags at half-mast in honour of the late Pope, whose final rites were completed yesterday.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya visited the Embassy of the Vatican in Sri Lanka on Thursday and Friday, respectively, to pay their respects through the Most Reverend Archbishop Brian N. Udaigwe, Apostolic Nuncio to Sri Lanka, and sign the book of condolences. Deputy Minister of Defence Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd) also visited the Embassy on Friday.
Issuing a message following the Pope’s passing, President Dissanayake said that Pope Francis’ unwavering commitment to peace, compassion, and humanity has left an indelible mark on the world, and expressed hope that his legacy of compassion, justice, and interfaith harmony would continue to inspire generations to come.
Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa visited the Vatican Embassy on Friday to offer his condolences. Earlier this week, he wrote on X: “Pope Francis led with humility in a time when leadership often forgets its duty to serve. His voice mattered for peace, for the poor, for our shared humanity. Sri Lanka mourns with the world today.”
Parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa also visited the Vatican Embassy and wrote in the book of condolences to honour the Pope yesterday.
Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath flew to Rome on Friday to represent the Sri Lankan government at the funeral, along with representatives from various local political parties.
Pope Francis’ funeral took place on Saturday in front of St. Peter’s Basilica, where he had lain in state for three days to allow devotees to pay their final respects. The Archbishop of Colombo, Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith, left for the Vatican on Wednesday to attend the funeral and participate in the conclave to elect a new Pope.
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