Dr Mehool Sanghrajka and Dilip Shah, directors of the Institute of Jainology (IOJ), attended the funeral of His Holiness Pope Francis at St Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City today, representing the Jain community in the United Kingdom and around the world.
They joined mourners from all walks of life, including world leaders, religious figures, and hundreds of thousands of members of the public, to pay their respects to a pope remembered as a compassionate and inclusive leader. The funeral mass, held in St Peter’s Square, celebrated Pope Francis’s lifelong commitment to peace, dialogue, care for the marginalised, and stewardship of the environment.
Speaking after the ceremony, Dr Sanghrajka said: “Pope Francis’s message of compassion, inclusion, and humanity transcended faiths and national boundaries. His life and work stand as a beacon of hope for all those committed to the service of humanity. It was an honour to represent the Jain community at this historic and deeply moving occasion.”
Dilip Shah added: “The values Pope Francis upheld — of non-violence, care for all beings, and the pursuit of peace — deeply resonate with Jain principles. We join the world in mourning his passing and celebrating his extraordinary legacy.”
The IOJ, which works to promote Jain heritage and values internationally, was privileged to be present at this important moment of global reflection and unity. The Jain community acknowledges Pope Francis’s enduring contribution to creating a more compassionate and inclusive world, and offers its sincere condolences to members of the Catholic Church and all who mourn his loss.
The funeral was attended by over 400,000 people, including more than 150 world leaders and senior religious figures. The ceremony concluded with Pope Francis being laid to rest in a simple tomb within the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, in accordance with his wishes.
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