Hindu spiritual leader pays tribute to Pope Francis

A Hindu spiritual leader and social activist mourned the death of Pope Francis on April 21, 2025.
“With a heart heavy with sorrow, I join the world in mourning the passing of His Holiness, Pope Francis. His life was a testament to humility, compassion, and unwavering commitment to the marginalized,” said Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswati, a renowned spiritual leader, motivational speaker, and author, in a social media post.
“As the first Latin American pontiff, he bridged divides, championed social justice, and inspired countless souls to walk the path of love and service. May his legacy continue to illuminate our journey towards unity and peace,” she added.
“It was a beautiful blessing to meet Pope Francis alongside Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji-Muniji several years ago. That gathering remains a cherished memory, reflecting the pope's dedication to fostering understanding among diverse faiths,” she said.
Sadhvi, originally from Los Angeles, a graduate of Stanford University, and a PhD in psychology, is based in Rishikesh, India.
She has lived for more than 25 years in India and engaged in spiritual service, wisdom teaching, and deep spiritual practice.
She is the secretary-general of the Global Interfaith WASH Alliance, an international interfaith organization dedicated to clean water, sanitation, and hygiene.
Additionally, she is the co-president of Religions for Peace, the premier international interfaith organization uniting the world’s religious leaders for peace.
She serves on the United Nations Advisory Council on Religion and the steering committees of the International Partnership for Religion and Sustainable Development (PaRD) and the Moral Imperative to End Extreme Poverty, a campaign by the United Nations and World Bank.
Radio Veritas Asia (RVA), a media platform of the Catholic Church, aims to share Christ. RVA started in 1969 as a continental Catholic radio station to serve Asian countries in their respective local language, thus earning the tag “the Voice of Asian Christianity.” Responding to the emerging context, RVA embraced media platforms to connect with the global Asian audience via its 21 language websites and various social media platforms.