Thiruvananthapuram, April 21 -- Major Archbishop of Trivandrum of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church, Cardinal Baselois Cleemis Thottunkal, on Monday, condoled the demise of Pope Francis, whom he recalled often expressed his affection for India.

The Cardinal, who is also President of the Synod of the Syro-Malankara Church, told ANI, "Let me express our heartfelt condolences and prayer for solidarity as Pope Francis has passed away."

"As the leader of the Church and entire humanity, especially a champion of the people who are at the periphery, he stood firm in re-reading the gospel, trying to find our Jesus and his approaches towards human beings, focusing on those marginalised...I personally recall with gratitude that after his meeting ...