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The funeral Mass for Pope Francis on SaturdayFinal Journey of Pope Francis Toward Saint Mary Major BasilicaFinal Journey of Pope Francis Toward Saint Mary Major BasilicaHonorable President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu, pays homage to Late Pope FrancisArchbishop Diego Ravelli spread a white silk cloth over the face of the Pope FrancisPope’s coffin sealed ahead of funeral on Saturday morningPope’s tomb made of marble from the land of his Italian grandparentsCardinals hold third General Congregation, begin conversation about Church“The Poor Bid Farewell to Their Shepherd”: In a Final Act of Love, Needy Gather to Honor Pope FrancisCardinals hold 4th General Congregation, prepare for ‘funeral of shepherd’Honorable President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu, Pays Homage to Pope Francis todayArchbishop Andrews Thazhath, President CBCI pays respect to Pope Francis at the Vatican BasilicaSecond General Congregation of Cardinals held in the VaticanNovemdiales: Cardinals set schedule for nine days of mourningArchdiocese of Delhi Offers Holy Mass in Loving Memory of Pope FrancisTransfer of the coffin of Pope Francis from the chapel of the Casa Santa Marta to St. Peter’s BasilicaPope Francis’ mortal remains carried to St. Peter’s BasilicaThousands pay final respects to Pope Francis at St. Peter’s BasilicaCBCI Condemns in Strongest Terms the Terrorist Attack on Innocent Tourists in PahalgamVatican to Hold Ceremony for the Closing of Pope Francis’ Coffin on FridayPope Francis’ death due to stroke and irreversible cardiocirculatory collapsePope Francis' Spiritual TestamentPope Francis laid to rest in single open coffin in final humble gesturePope Francis’ body to lie in state until funeral on Saturday morningTranslation of the coffin of the Roman Pontiff Francis into the Vatican BasilicaGeneral Congregations of Cardinals begin in the VaticanCBCI CENTRE family pays homage to late Pope FrancisPope Francis delivers Urbi et Orbi Easter Message, calls for Peace, Compassion, and Global SolidarityPope Francis has died on Easter Monday at age of 88Faith leaders gather in Delhi to pay tribute to Pope FrancisCBCI Honors Pope Francis: Church in India Unites in Prayer and MourningIndia Mourns the Passing of Pope Francis: CBCI Declares Nine Days of National ObservanceIndia Declares Three-Day State Mourning for Pope FrancisPope Francis urges embrace of compassion over cold logic in Good Friday reflectionsRejoice in the Risen Lord: CBCI President urges hope, compassion, and renewal in Easter messagePope Francis visits prison inmates on Holy ThursdayPope Francis approves miracle attributed to Venerable Servant of God Eliswa Vakayil, paving way for BeatificationPope Francis Accepts Resignation of Simla-Chandigarh Bishop Ignatius Loyola MascarenhasPope Francis shows ongoing improvement as convalescence continuesNational Workshop on Interreligious and Ecumenical MinistryArchbishop Emeritus Pascal Topno SJ Remembered for a Life of Faith and ServicePope Francis: The Sickbed Can Become a “Holy Place” of Salvation and RedemptionCBCI condemns attack on Jabalpur Christian pilgrims, urges Govt to uphold rightsCBCI Office for Tribal Affairs Organizes Tribal Youth Leaders’ Empowerment Workshop in DelhiWAQF law amendment should provide a permanent solution to land issues, including Munambam:  CBCICBCI expresses deep sadness over the tragic earthquake in Myanmar and Thailand

Pope Francis

Condolence and National Observance on the Passing Away of His Holiness Pope Francis

It is with profound sorrow and a deep sense of loss we have received the news of the passing away of His Holiness Pope Francis, the Supreme Pontiff of the Universal Church.

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI), united with the entire Catholic faithful in India, mourns the departure of our beloved Holy Father, who served the Church and the world with humility, courage, and unwavering dedication to the Gospel of Christ.

Pope Francis will be remembered as a beacon of compassion, peace, and inclusivity. His commitment to the poor, to ecological justice, and to dialogue among Faiths, inspired not only Catholics but countless people across the globe. Let us, as one Church in India, join our hearts in prayer and thanksgiving for the gift of Pope Francis. May his soul rest in the eternal peace of Christ, and may his legacy continue to inspire our Church and our world. Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him.

CBCI Leadership

President

Most Rev. Andrews Thazhath

Metropolitan Archbishop of Thrissur

Vice President-I

Most Rev. George Antony samy

Metropolitan Archbishop of Madras - Mylapore

Vice President-II

Rt. Rev. Joseph Mar Thomas

Bishop of Bathery

Secretary General

Most Rev. Anil Joseph Thomas Couto

Metropolitan Archbishop of New Delhi

Deputy Secretary General

Rev. Fr. Mathew Koyickal

Director of CBCI Centre

Regional Offices

Kerala (KCBC)

His Beatitude Baselios Cardinal Cleemis Thottunkal (Trivandrum)
PresidentHis Beatitude Baselios Cardinal Cleemis Thottunkal (Trivandrum)
Rt. Rev. Mar Pauly Kannookadan (Irinjalakuda)
Vice PresidentRt. Rev. Mar Pauly Kannookadan (Irinjalakuda)
Rt. Rev. Alex Vadakumthala (Kannur)
Secretary GeneralRt. Rev. Alex Vadakumthala (Kannur)
Rev. Fr. Thomas Tharayil
Deputy Secretary GeneralRev. Fr. Thomas Tharayil

Tamil Nadu (TNBC)

Most Rev. George Antonysamy (Madras-Mylapore)
PresidentMost Rev. George Antonysamy (Madras-Mylapore)
Most Rev. Dr. A Lawrence Pius, Bishop of Dharmapuri
Vice PresidentMost Rev. Dr. A Lawrence Pius, Bishop of Dharmapuri
Rt. Rev. Nazarene Soosai (Kottar)
Secretary GeneralRt. Rev. Nazarene Soosai (Kottar)
Rev. Fr. Francis Joseph
Deputy Secretary GeneralRev. Fr. Francis Joseph

Karnataka (KCBC)

Most Rev. Peter Machado (Bangalore)
PresidentMost Rev. Peter Machado (Bangalore)
Fr. S. Jayanathan
Secretary GeneralFr. S. Jayanathan

Agra (ARBC)

Most Rev. Raphy Manjaly (Agra)
PresidentMost Rev. Raphy Manjaly (Agra)
Rt. Rev. Ignatius D'Souza (Bareilly)
Secretary GeneralRt. Rev. Ignatius D'Souza (Bareilly)
Fr. Saji Palamattom
Deputy Secretary GeneralFr. Saji Palamattom

CBCI at a Glance: United in Witness

The Catholic Bishops' Conference of India, established in 1944, exemplifies the unity and dedication of the Catholic Church in fostering faith throughout the nation. Guided by a deep-rooted commitment to the Gospel, this collective effort consistently fortifies the fabric of our diverse communities.

Founded
1944
Bishops
257
Dioceses
174
Churches
13309

Latin

The Latin Rite in India, characterized by its rich traditions and diverse communities, forms a significant part of the Catholic Church's heritage in the country. Rooted in centuries of faith and practice, the Latin Rite upholds the liturgical norms and canonical disciplines as practiced universally by the Roman Catholic Church.

Bishops190
Dioceses132
Churches9360
CBCI Diagram

Syro-Malabar

The Syro-Malabar Church is an East Syrian Rite, Major Archiepiscopal Church in full communion with the Vatican. It is the second-largest Eastern Catholic Church after the Ukrainian Church and the largest of the Saint Thomas Christian denominations with roots tracing back to the evangelistic activity of Thomas the Apostle in the 1st century.

Bishops65
Dioceses35
Churches2753

Syro-Malankara

The Syro-Malankara Catholic Church is an Antiochian Rite Major Archiepiscopal Church centered in Kerala, India. It traces its origins to the re-establishment of communion with the Catholic Church in 1930, led by Archbishop Mar Ivanios. It celebrates the liturgy according to the West Syrian liturgical tradition.

Bishops16
Dioceses12
Churches1196

CBCI News Highlights

Stay updated with the latest news and updates from the Catholic Bishops Conference of India

Archbishop Diego Ravelli spread a white silk cloth over the face of the Pope Francis

Archbishop Diego Ravelli spread a white silk cloth over the face of the Pope Francis

Pope’s coffin sealed ahead of funeral on Saturday morning

Pope’s coffin sealed ahead of funeral on Saturday morning

Rite of sealing the coffin of Pope Francis

Rite of sealing the coffin of Pope Francis

Honorable President of India,  Smt. Droupadi Murmu, pays homage to Late Pope Francis

Honorable President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu, pays hom...

The burial will take place privately at Saint Mary Major Basilica

The burial will take place privately at Saint Mary Major Bas...

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