Poola mourns Francis, to vote in new Pope’s selection

Hyderabad: Archbishop of Hyderabad, Poola Anthony, on Monday expressed deep sorrow over the passing of Pope Francis, describing him as a shepherd who stood with the poor and the forgotten, and as a prophetic voice for the church's mission at the margin. Poola will be leaving for the Vatican to participate in the funeral and election of a new pope. He is one of the four (cardinals) from India and among 135 cardinals (College of Cardinals) in the world eligible to vote for the new pope.
Incidentally, Poola was named a cardinal and Archbishop of Hyderabad by Pope Francis in 2022.
"The passing of Pope Francis marks the end of a profoundly significant chapter in the life of the church," Cardinal Poola said, paying tribute to the 266th pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church. Reflecting on his personal association with the Pope, Poola recalled the "singular honour and immense responsibility" Pope Francis placed upon him by naming him a cardinal — a moment he viewed not as a privilege but as a call to service.
"He was a shepherd after the heart of Jesus — simple, sincere, and tirelessly committed to the poor, the forgotten, and the wounded," Poola said, highlighting how Pope Francis made the church's mission resonate with people living on the peripheries of society. The Archbishop of Hyderabad described Pope Francis as a man who "dared to dream of a church that is poor and for the poor," not merely through words but by embodying values of mercy, dialogue, and openness. He said Pope Francis' vision turned the church into "a field hospital" that listened and healed.
He also noted how Pope Francis' choice of the name ‘Francis' was not symbolic alone, but a clear path — one of simplicity, peace, and care for creation. "He reminded us to build bridges, not walls," Poola added. Even in grief, the cardinal spoke of hope. "His legacy is not written only in documents, but in the hearts of millions he touched — through his humility, authenticity, and unwavering focus on Christ," he added.