Requiem Mass held for Card. Lourdusamy in the Vatican

A requiem Mass was held on Thursday morning at the St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican to pray for the repose of the soul of Cardinal Simon Lourdusamy, who passed away at the early hours of Monday.

Cardinal Angelo Sodano, Dean of the College of Cardinals presided over the Eucharist that was well represented by the Indian community in Rome. In his homily he referred to Cardinal Lourdusamy as a faithful servant of the Church, who lived a life of dedicated service in Puducherry and Bangalore Dioceses and then accepted with generosity the call of Pope Paul VI, who wanted him in Rome to work in the missionary Congregation of Propaganda Fide. “Here, for twenty years devoted his energies to the great cause of the evangelization of peoples, until, weighed down by his illness, he continued to serve the Church through prayer and suffering, with an attitude of great serenity.” he said.

At the end of the Eucharist, Pope Francis led the chorus of the faithful “May the angels and saints lead you into paradise”. He then blessed the coffin of the dear departed Cardinal.

Following this requiem mass his mortal remains are to be flown to India where the funeral of the deceased Cardinal will take place at the Immaculate Conception Cathedral Church, Pondicherry. The time and date of the funeral have yet to be finalised.