Kolkata, Apr 21 (UNI) West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday condoled the demise of Pope Francis at the age 88 at his Vatican home this morning.

" Saddened to know of the demise of His Holiness Pope Francis, the leader of the Roman Catholic Church," Banerjee said in her condolence message.

"The Pope is the highest esteemed authority in the Catholic world, and billions of Christians in this planet revere him as the Supreme Pontiff.

" My heart goes out to all my fellow Christian brothers and sisters in India and rest of the world and I feel connected with them all in a profound sense of loss and and empathy,” she said.

Trinamool Congress Rajya Sabha leader Derek O'Brien said " Pope Francis would always speak up."

" Here is just one example: “The Church, while respecting the autonomy of political life, does not restrict her mission to the private sphere. The Church cannot and must not remain on the sidelines. His Holiness Pope

Francispathy.” Derek concluded.

Pope Francis, history’s first Latin American pontiff who charmed the world with his humble style, passed away at 88, .

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