Kohima: In a solemn tribute to the late Pope Francis, the Diocese of Kohima, led by Bishop James Thoppil, is holding a series of Requiem Eucharistic Celebrations across Nagaland to pray for the repose of the Holy Father’s soul.
The pontiff passed away on Monday in the 12th year of his historic papacy.
Three official Masses have been scheduled at major parishes within the diocese. The first was celebrated on April 24 at Holy Cross Church in Dimapur, followed by the second on April 25 at Mary Help of Christians Cathedral in Kohima. The final Mass is set to take place on April 26 at St. Joseph Church in Chümoukedima.
During Friday’s Eucharistic Celebration at the Kohima Cathedral, Bishop Thoppil delivered a heartfelt homily, reflecting on Pope Francis’ life, legacy, and lasting impact on the global Church.
“The whole world is mourning the loss of a beloved spiritual leader,” the Bishop said. “What was special about Pope Francis was his charismatic personality, his simplicity, his sense of closeness to people, and the fresh—often unconventional—vocabulary he brought into papal discourse.”
Bishop Thoppil highlighted several groundbreaking aspects of the late Pope’s leadership. Pope Francis was the first Jesuit pope, the first Latin American pope, and the first non-European pope in over a millennium. His election followed another unprecedented moment in modern Church history—the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI, a move not seen in 600 years.
Quoting from some of Pope Francis’ most memorable expressions—“Don’t forget to pray for me,” “Don’t forget the poor,” “The smell of the sheep,” and “The Church as a field hospital”—Bishop Thoppil emphasized how these were not just phrases but principles the Pope lived by.
He also recalled the Pope’s emphasis on the marginalized and his critique of what he termed a “throwaway culture.” “These were more than words,” Thoppil said, “they were the essence of his mission.”
In closing, Bishop Thoppil shared the Pope’s own words on mortality: “Death is not the end of everything, but a new beginning.”
The Mass was attended by dozens of priests, religious men and women, and hundreds of faithful who gathered to offer prayers and pay their final respects.
The Diocese’s tributes to Pope Francis will conclude on Saturday with the final Requiem Mass in Chümoukedima.
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