Pope Francis Passes Away at 88; Vatican and the World Mourns a Beloved Leader

Pope Francis Passes Away at 88; Vatican and the World Mourns a Beloved Leader

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on April 22, 2025

Pope Francis passed away on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, at the age of 88 at his residence in the Vatican's Casa Santa Marta. The announcement was made at 9:45 AM by Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church, who expressed deep sorrow at the loss of the beloved Holy Father.

Cardinal Farrell described Pope Francis as a true disciple who dedicated his life to serving the Lord and the Church with courage, fidelity, and universal love, especially towards the poor and marginalized. The Camerlengo's announcement marked the beginning of the formal mourning period in the Vatican.

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According to Matteo Bruni, Director of the Holy See Press Office, Pope Francis' mortal remains are expected to be transferred to St. Peter's Basilica on the morning of Wednesday, April 23, 2025, allowing the faithful to pay their final respects. Final arrangements are being organized following the first General Congregation of Cardinals scheduled for Tuesday morning.

On Monday evening at 8:00 PM, the rite of certification of death and placement in the coffin was conducted in the chapel of the Casa Santa Marta. The declaration of death was read aloud, validated by Cardinal Farrell, and the ceremony concluded within an hour. Seals were also placed on the papal apartments in both the Apostolic Palace and the Casa Santa Marta.

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Pope Francis’ closest collaborators began paying their respects on Monday evening. Meanwhile, preparations for the funeral are underway, with a date expected to be decided shortly.

The 88-year-old pontiff had been battling health issues in recent months. He was admitted to the Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic Hospital in February 2025 after suffering from bronchitis, which later developed into bilateral pneumonia. After 38 days of hospitalization, he returned to Casa Santa Marta to continue his recovery.

Throughout his life, Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Argentina, showed resilience, having undergone lung surgery in his youth due to a severe respiratory infection. Despite facing multiple health challenges, he remained active in his mission, even approving an updated liturgical book for papal funeral rites in April 2024 to reflect a simpler, faith-centered approach to funeral ceremonies.

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Pope Francis made history in 2013 by becoming the first Jesuit Pope, the first from the Americas, and the first non-European pontiff in over 1,200 years. His decade-long papacy was marked by a focus on mercy, humility, environmental stewardship, and inclusiveness, with a special emphasis on serving the marginalized.

The late Pope’s final public address was delivered on Easter Sunday, April 20, 2025, where he called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, continuing his lifelong advocacy for peace.

In tribute to Pope Francis, the Government of India has declared a three-day state mourning. State mourning will be observed on April 22 and 23, while the third day of mourning will coincide with the day of his funeral.

According to Archbishop Diego Ravelli, Master of Apostolic Ceremonies, Pope Francis had personally requested that his funeral rites be simple, focusing on the faith of the Church in the Risen Body of Christ rather than worldly grandeur.

Archbishop Ravelli emphasized that the renewed funeral rite highlights the Pope’s identity as a pastor and disciple of Christ, echoing the spirit in which Pope Francis lived his entire ministry.


Thomas Cook India Partners with Ministry of Tourism to Elevate Destination Experiences

Thomas Cook India Partners with Ministry of Tourism to Elevate Destination Experiences

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on October 1, 2025

Thomas Cook (India) Limited, India’s leading omnichannel travel services company, has partnered with the Ministry of Tourism (MoT), Government of India, in a strategic initiative to transform the country’s tourism landscape. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by Ms. Seema Jain, Director, Destination Development Division, Ministry of Tourism, and Mr. Romil Pant, Executive Vice President & Head – Holidays, Thomas Cook (India) Limited. The event took place in the presence of key dignitaries, including Mr. Suman Bery, Vice Chairman, NITI Aayog, Mr. Suresh Gopi, Minister of State for Tourism, Petroleum and Natural Gas, Mr. Suman Billa, Additional Secretary and Director General, Ministry of Tourism, and Mr. Gyan Bhushan, Senior Economic Advisor, Ministry of Tourism.

The collaboration focuses on gathering direct and verified traveller feedback to assess India’s best-performing tourism destinations while identifying areas that need improvement. By leveraging its strong physical and digital presence, Thomas Cook India will integrate a co-branded feedback form, standardised by the Ministry, across its platforms. These insights will capture visitor opinions on cleanliness, safety, accessibility, service standards, and overall experiences.

This MoU, valid for three years, underscores a shared commitment to enhancing domestic tourism through transparency and data-driven decision-making. The anonymised, aggregated data will be shared with the Ministry of Tourism to support interventions aimed at improving infrastructure and services at destinations across India.

Mr. Suman Billa, Additional Secretary & Director General Ministry of Tourism, said, “We are extremely delighted to sign this Memorandum of Understanding with Thomas Cook India. The idea behind this collaboration is to see how the Ministry of Tourism can collect real-time feedback from users at key destinations across the country. Our aim is to use this data as a foundation to identify and promote destinations that are able to provide great experiences. This marks the first step in a long journey ahead, and we hope this partnership proves fruitful for both of us.”

Mr. Rajeev Kale, President & Country Head, Holidays, MICE, VisaThomas Cook (India) Limited, added, “We are delighted to partner with the Ministry of Tourism on this transformative initiative. With our extensive reach and deep understanding of Indian travellers, Thomas Cook India is uniquely positioned to provide valuable insights on destination performance. Our collaboration will focus on gathering authentic feedback from our customers to empower the Ministry’s efforts in enhancing the quality, safety, and sustainability of India’s tourism offerings.”


Pune Gas and Alister Equipments Host ‘Culinary Futures’ to Redefine India’s HoReCa Landscape

Pune Gas and Alister Equipments Host ‘Culinary Futures’ to Redefine India’s HoReCa Landscape

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on October 1, 2025

Pune Gas, in association with Alister Kitchen Equipments, successfully hosted Culinary Futures, a three-day immersive event curated for India’s hospitality and commercial kitchen consultants. Held in Pune from 12th to 14th September, the event brought together consultants from across the country to explore future-ready solutions for the HoReCa sector through innovation, collaboration, and cultural experiences.

The event began with a grand welcome at Shaniwar Wada, followed by a heritage food walk through Pune’s old city, giving participants a taste of the city’s authentic sights, sounds, and culinary delights.

Day two became the highlight, as consultants toured the Pune Gas manufacturing facility. The visit offered deep insights into best practices for gas safety, efficiency, and system design, areas often overlooked despite fuel being a critical resource for hospitality businesses. Pune Gas showcased innovations such as the LPGenius Smart LPG System, LeakCheck Gas Leak Detection System, and other advanced technologies, reinforcing its reputation as a trusted solutions provider.

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Participants also visited customer sites powered by Pune Gas systems, gaining firsthand exposure to its efficient installations. A standout moment was the demonstration of an all gas-fired generator at a Pune bakery, which impressed attendees with its reliability and practical application. The day concluded with a cocktail dinner and networking mixer, celebrating collaboration and knowledge sharing.

The third day featured live demonstrations at Alister Equipments’ factory, including the launch of a new product that showcased the brand’s commitment to building next-generation commercial kitchens.

Jesal Sampat, Executive Director at Pune Gas, shared, “Collaboration with consultants is crucial in designing world-class kitchens. With over four decades of innovation, Pune Gas continues to prioritize safety and efficiency while shaping the future of HoReCa.”

Kitchen consultant P. Sravan Kumar from Hyderabad remarked, “Pune Gas innovations are helping HoReCa businesses achieve higher efficiency while reducing operational costs. The exposure to their manufacturing process and interaction with their team reinforced our trust in them as a reliable partner.”

The event reinforced the growing role of kitchen consultants as key enablers in designing safe, efficient, and sustainable kitchens, while also highlighting the shared vision of empowering India’s HoReCa industry.

Culinary Futures was not just about products but also about partnerships and the prosperity of an industry that feeds millions every day.


The 2nd Edition Of Sudha Reddy’s Pink Power Run Witnesses Over 20,000 Participants With Leander Paes, Julia Morley, Opal Suchata Chuangsri In Attendance

The 2nd Edition Of Sudha Reddy’s Pink Power Run Witnesses Over 20,000 Participants With Leander Paes, Julia Morley, Opal Suchata Chuangsri In Attendance

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on October 1, 2025

The second edition of the Pink Power Run 2025, a flagship initiative by the Sudha Reddy Foundation, saw an overwhelming participation of more than 20,000 people at Necklace Road in Hyderabad, uniting to raise awareness about breast cancer and the importance of early detection.

The event began in the early hours and was inaugurated by philanthropist Sudha Reddy, alongside Krishna Reddy, Managing Director of MEIL, Julia Morley, Chairperson of the Miss World Organization, and tennis legend Leander Paes. Reigning Miss World 2025, Opal Suchata Chuangsri, also joined, highlighting the global significance of the cause through her charitable project, Opal for Her.

Themed Stride & Shine, this year’s edition brought together an inspiring mix of participants, including celebrities, influencers, elite international runners, students, senior citizens, corporate leaders, underprivileged women, and dignitaries. Delegates from the Miss World Organization, including continental winners and Miss India World Nandini Gupta, added to the star-studded line-up. Pre-event activities such as fitness workshops, survivor stories, and social media campaigns deepened engagement with the cause.

The run featured 10 km, 5 km, and 3 km categories, culminating in an energetic awards ceremony. The 10 km race winners received ₹3.5 lakh, ₹2.5 lakh, and ₹1.5 lakh, while the 5 km race winners received ₹2 lakh, ₹1.5 lakh, and ₹1 lakh. Julia Morley was honoured with the Excellence in Mentorship Award 2025 for her remarkable leadership and lifelong dedication to empowerment.

Remarkable performances were witnessed across categories. In the men’s 10K division, Ankit Gupta secured first place at 30:52, followed by Kamlakar Deshmukh and Shubham Sindhu. In the women’s 10K, Seema Seema finished first at 34:44, with Bharti Nain and Sonika Sonika close behind. In the 5K, Harmanjot Singh topped the men’s category at 14:25, while Ankita Ankita led the women’s with 16:52.

Sharing her thoughts, Julia Morley said, “Our collective efforts can create a powerful movement for breast cancer awareness. Early detection can save countless lives, and the Pink Power Run empowers individuals with the knowledge to take charge of their health.”

Leander Paes added, “This initiative combines fitness with awareness, inspiring hope and proving that every step contributes to a larger movement for change.”

Sudha Reddy expressed, “Pink Power Run is a symbol of hope, resilience, and unity in the fight against breast cancer. With Pink Power Run, Beyond Borders launching in 2026, we are taking this mission global to unite millions across 140 countries.”

The upcoming Pink Power Run, Beyond Borders will debut in 2026 with a 24-hour continental relay and participation from Miss World’s seven continental queens, coinciding with the Miss World Organization’s 75th anniversary.

The Pink Power Run continues to be a beacon of awareness, honouring survivors, supporting fighters, remembering loved ones, and promoting the power of prevention and early detection.

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