Zerbanoo Gifford Shares A Tribute

The world has been mourning the death of Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, who passed away on 21st April, 2025, at age 88. The Argentine pontiff, history’s first Latin American pope, died just one day after a spirited Easter Sunday appearance in St. Peter’s Square, where he delivered his final “Urbi et Orbi” blessing and greeted crowds from his popemobile. Cardinal Kevin Farrell announced the Pope’s passing in a statement from the Vatican: “This morning at 7:35 am, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the home of the Father.”

Earlier this year, he had faced two close brushes with death due to pneumonia and spent 38 days in hospital before being discharged on 23rd March, 2025. Loved for his humility, advocacy for the poor, and reform-minded leadership, the late Pope Francis had also stirred debate within the Church through bold critiques of capitalism and climate activism.

His body was laid in state in his coffin, at St. Peter’s Basilica, from 23rd to 25th April, for the people to pay their final respects before his funeral, scheduled for 26th April, at 10:00 am, in the Baroque Plaza outside the Basilica. Vatican cardinals have already begun preparations for the conclave to elect his successor.

Tribute on the Passing of Pope Francis by Zerbanoo Gifford, Human Rights Campaigner and Director, ASHA Centre, UK

As the world grieves the loss of Pope Francis, one of the most beloved and transformative spiritual leaders of our time, it is not only the Catholic community that mourns. Among those deeply moved by his passing are members of the global Zoroastrian community – particularly those committed to interfaith harmony, humanitarian service and the timeless values of compassion and justice.

Zerbanoo Gifford, an internationally respected Zoroastrian voice and Founder of the ASHA Centre in the UK, offers a heartfelt tribute, drawing on her lifelong work in interfaith outreach and social justice, including collaborations with the Catholic Church in both Europe and India. Her words honour Pope Francis’s enduring legacy of humility, courage and moral clarity. Shares Zerbanoo Gifford:

“The death of Pope Francis has left the world in sorrow. It has also left many devoted Zoroastrians sad. Those Zoroastrians who practise interfaith understanding. Those who were educated by Catholic nuns and priests as also those who realise that we have seen the passing of a great soul at a time that needs spiritual leaders of simplicity and moral courage. 

On behalf of the global Zoroastrian community, and especially the World Zoroastrian Organisation, I wish to extend our heartfelt condolences. Our prayers are with the Catholic Church and the billions who belong to the worldwide Catholic family during this time of profound loss.

Although I did not have the privilege to be blessed personally by Pope Francis, I did have the honour to be summoned to the Vatican to be blessed by Pope John Paul II. He heard of my wish to create the ASHA centre in Britain, and my work with the Catholic church in Mumbai, ensuring the building of a home for street children and my campaigning in Europe with refugees and the homeless.

Pope John Paul II blessed me, and the power of his goodness was deeply moving. Overwhelmed by the moment, I instinctively blurted out, “Bless you,” intending it as a heartfelt thank you. Touched by the exchange, he smiled and replied, “Thank you for blessing me. I usually bless others, but I too need blessings!”

I will always remember briefing Vatican officials on the plight of the displaced Catholic Chagos people. The Vatican, renowned for its diplomacy, took up the cause and valued the honest account of their forced removal from the Indian Ocean.

The Vatican officials know and appreciate the wisdom of our prophet Zoroaster and the arrival of the Zoroastrian Magi, known as ‘The 3 Wise Men’, as the first to welcome Baby Jesus into the world. They are also well aware of the vital role many Zoroastrians play in fostering interfaith harmony and delivering compassionate, hands-on humanitarian aid across the globe. For this, our community is held in deep respect and high regard within the corridors of the Vatican.

In the days to come, Zoroastrians around the world will offer prayers for Pope Francis – a luminous soul whose legacy of humility, compassion and unwavering pursuit of peace and justice will continue to inspire all who yearn for a more righteous and humane world.”