HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS – DEMISE

Madam Speaker, I wish to make a statement on the demise of His Holiness Pope Francis. Madam Speaker, the whole world learnt with deep sorrow, yesterday morning, of the demise of His Holiness Pope Francis. I would like to invite you, Madam Speaker, and all the hon. Members of the House, to join me in conveying our heartfelt condolences to the Holy See and the global Roman Catholic community, including Monseigneur Jean-Michaël Durhône, the Bishop of the Diocese of Port Louis, and the faithful of the Roman Catholic Church in Mauritius. I wish to inform the House that I have sent a letter of condolences to the Holy See on behalf of the Government and people of Mauritius. Madam Speaker, Mauritius will always remember with gratitude the apostolic visit of His Holiness Pope Francis, which he made to our country in September 2019. His presence amongst us was a moment of grace that remains engraved in the collective memory of all Mauritians, regardless of their faith. Madam Speaker, His Holiness Pope Francis leaves behind an indelible spiritual and moral legacy. Posterity will remember him as the voice of the poor and the downtrodden, regardless of creed, colour, or gender. We recall how despite all criticisms levelled against him from certain quarters, he did not hesitate to speak against what he called “a global economic system that exploited the poor and turned the Earth into an immense pile of filth”. He was a staunch proponent of environmentalism and never ceased to draw attention of the world to the nefarious impact of climate change, especially on the poorest countries. His role as an apostle of social justice and peace is also universally acknowledged, including his numerous attempts to put an end to global conflicts, particularly in the Middle East, especially the ongoing onslaught in Gaza and Ukraine. Pope Francis will be immortalised as a paragon of humility in the collective memory of humanity. May his soul rest in peace! Madam Speaker, may I request you to invite the hon. Members of the House to observe one minute of silence in his memory.

Hon. Deputy Prime Minister!

Madam Speaker, I join with what the hon. Prime Minister has said, and I express my deepest sorrow at the loss of a great Pope and a true friend. Thank you.

Thank you. Hon. Leader of the Opposition! The Leader of the Opposition (Mr G. Lesjongard): Thank you, Madam Speaker. I also join the hon. Prime Minister and the hon. Deputy Prime Minister, and I request you to convey our deepest condolences to the…

À l’Évêché.

À l’Évêché de Maurice. Madam Speaker, Pope Francis was a Pope for the poor. All throughout, he has been with the poor and has supported them, Madam Speaker. Thank you.

Hon. Members, I wish to associate myself to the solemn tributes expressed by the hon. Prime Minister, the hon. Deputy Prime Minister, and the hon. Leader of the Opposition on the demise of His Holiness Pope Francis. In recognition of his profound legacy and unwavering commitment to humanity, I will, of course, transmit the condolences of the whole House à l’Évêché. I now invite hon. Members to rise and to observe a minute of silence as a mark of respect to the memory of Pope Francis. (Hon. Members stood up and observed a minute of silence)