Inauguration of the Pontificate of Pope Francis Observed in India

March 21, 2013: New Delhi: The Inauguration of the Pontificate of His Holiness Pope Francis was jointly celebrated on March 19, the Solemnity of St. Joseph, by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India and the Delhi Archdiocese under the auspices of the Apostolic Nunciature. A solemn Thanksgiving Mass was celebrated in the Sacred Heart Cathedral, New Delhi, at 6.00 p.m. on Tuesday, 19th March, 2013, presided over by His Grace, Archbishop Salvatore Pennacchio, the Apostolic Nuncio to India. Most Rev. Albert D’Souza, Secretary General of CBCI; Most Rev. Anil Couto, Archbishop of Delhi; Most Rev. Vincent M. Concessao, Archbishop-Emeritus of Delhi; Most Rev. Kuriakose Bharanikulangara, Archbishop-Bishop of Faridabad; Most Rev. Jacob Mar Barnabas, Apostolic Visitator, Syro-Malankara Catholic Church; Most Rev. Franco Mulakkal, Auxiliary Bishop of Delhi; the Monsignori from the Apostolic Nunciature; the Fathers from the CBCI Centre and scores of Fathers from the Archdiocese of Delhi and Religious Houses were the concelebrants for the Eucharistic celebration.

A significant number of Catholic Members of the Parliament, Ambassadors and other members of the Diplomatic Corps, and a large number of Religious and laity attended the celebration. His Excellency Bishop Franco Mulakkal welcomed the congregation and His Grace Archbishop Anil Couto preached the Homily during the Mass. Mr. Justice Kurien Joseph, the newly appointed Judge of the Supreme Court read the first reading from the Scriptures.

Immediately after the Thanksgiving Mass, there was a short Felicitation Meeting. His Grace Archbishop Albert D’Souza, Secretary General of CBCI, felicitated the new Pope on behalf of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India and the CBCI Centre. Prof. K. V. Thomas, Union Minister for Food and Consumer Affairs; His Excellency Bishop Sunil Singh, Bishop of Church of North India; Mrs. Milena Santana-Ramirez, Ambassador of Venezuela; Very Rev. Fr. Edward Madavassery, Provincial, South Asia Jesuits; Mrs. Mini John also spoke on the occasion, felicitating the New Pontiff and offering prayerful greetings for the success of the Petrine Ministry. Fr. Joseph Chinnayyan, Deputy Secretary General of CBCI, read out a Message from His Eminence Oswald Cardinal Gracias, President of CBCI who is currently in Rome.

His Grace, Archbishop Salvatore Pennacchio, the Apostolic Nuncio thanked everyone for the spontaneous expressions of filial love and loyalty to the Holy Father and assured that he would personally convey the prayerful greetings and best wishes of Indian Church to the Holy Father, whom the Apostolic Nuncio will be meeting soon.

(Source: CBCI)