Exiled Tibetan Leadership condoles demise of Pope Francis 

DHARAMSALA, 22 April: The Tibetan spiritual leader, His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the Central Tibetan Administration’s President Penpa Tsering, and the Speaker of the Tibetan Parliament in Exile, Khenpo Sonam Tenphel, have all expressed heartfelt condolences to the Roman Catholic Church and its followers upon the demise of His Holiness Pope Francis.

“His Holiness Pope Francis dedicated himself to the service of others, consistently revealing by his own actions how to live a simple, but meaningful life,” the Dalai Lama has said in a missive addressed to The Most Reverend Leopoldo Girelli, the Apostolic Nuncio to India, expressing his sadness and offering his prayers over the Pope’s passage. 

“The best tribute we can pay to him is to be a warm-hearted person, serving others wherever and in whatever way we can,” he concluded. 

Offering his deepest condolences on behalf of the CTA and Tibetans worldwide, President Penpa Tsering wrote, “In a world fractured by religious divisions, Pope Francis embodied the true spirit of compassion and universal brotherhood.”

“His unwavering commitment to support the marginalised, speaking truth to power, and advocacy for environmental stewardship resonated deeply across various traditions, including Tibetan Buddhism.”

He further emphasised the profound respect the Dalai Lama held for Pope Francis, particularly admiring their shared commitment to environmental stewardship, which stems from a deep recognition of humanity’s interconnectedness. 

He concluded by expressing solidarity with the global Catholic community worldwide in mourning this profound loss and voiced hope that Pope Francis’ vision for a more compassionate and just world would continue to inspire collective action. 

Speaker Khenpo Sonam Tenphel, in his message of condolences, expressed profound respect and sorrow at the demise of Pope Francis. 

“His Papacy has been a testament to humility, compassion, and unwavering moral leadership. Pope Francis has not only inspired the hearts of the Roman Catholic Church but also countless others worldwide through his commitment to the poor, his call for environmental stewardship, and his pursuit of peace and dialogue. His impact transcends borders, and his legacy will continue to inspire generations to come.”

“Pope Francis died on Easter Monday at 7:35 AM local time at his residence, Casa Santa Marta in Vatican City. He was 88 years old. In response, the private office of the Dalai Lama held an hour-long memorial prayer service in the morning today at Tsuglagkhang, the Main Tibetan Temple, here in Dharamshala.

The heads and the staff of the CTA also held a prayer service to mourn the demise of His Holiness Pope Francis and pay tribute to his legacy at 3 in the afternoon today at the Sikyong hall in the Central Tibetan Secretariat at Gangchenkyishong.

However, despite the Tibetan leadership’s praise for Pope Francis as a champion of the marginalised, and his reputation for ‘speaking truth to power,’ his notable silence on the Tibetan issue and reluctance to meet with the Dalai Lama has created a conspicuous gap in his otherwise consistent advocacy for the oppressed peoples around the world. 

For the uninitiated, while Pope Francis has been vocal in his support for Palestinians in Gaza and frequently speaks out against injustice, he has notably remained silent on Tibet and has chosen not to meet with the Dalai Lama. 

In December 2014, the Pope declined to grant an audience to the Dalai Lama despite his presence in Rome for a summit of Nobel Peace Prize winners, with Vatican officials citing potential “inconveniences” with China. 

This apparent inconsistency reflects the Vatican’s diplomatic priorities, as geopolitical considerations regarding China have outweighed other concerns. 

The Pope’s careful approach to China stems from decades of cautious relations, particularly regarding the status of Catholics in China and bishop appointments. 

In contrast to Pope Francis’s stance, his predecessors showed more willingness to engage with the Tibetan spiritual leader – Pope Benedict XVI met briefly with the Dalai Lama in 2006, while Pope John Paul II met with him at least eight times throughout his Papacy from 1978 to 2005, highlighting the current pontiff’s more pronounced diplomatic caution on this particular issue.