Pope Francis went beyond his faith - Ranil

Pope Francis' interests went beyond the faith as he focused on Ukraine and Gaza, poverty, climate change and other instances of injustice, former President Ranil Wickremesinghe said in a condolence message on the demise of the Roman Catholic Leader on Monday.

 

Wickremesinghe said the following in his message:

 It is with great sadness that I join with millions to extend my deepest condolences on the passing away of His Holiness Pope Francis. After a life-threatening illness, His Holiness was recovering very slowly and his death was an unexpected blow at a time of global turmoil politically and economically.

His Holiness Pope Francis was a radical, he brought in new thinking to the Church.

It also resulted in the traditionalists having to think anew of their interpretations in relation to the 21st Century. This debate within the Catholic Church rejuvenated it, making the Church more relevant to the 21 Century.

My first meeting with His Holiness was in 2015 when he visited Sri Lanka to canonize St. Joseph Vaz. It also became an instance for interfaith dialogue when His Holiness, on the spur of the moment, paid respects to the relics at the Maha Bodhi Temple. His Holiness took a lead in interfaith dialogue.

Pope Francis' interests went beyond the faith - to conflicts especially in Ukraine and Gaza, poverty, climate change and other instances of injustice. It is apt that his last meeting was with US Vice-President J.D. Vance who held contrary views.

His Holiness Pope Francis has been recalled after completing his services on earth. The legacy of his faith will be left behind for generations.