President Draupadi Murmu attended the funeral of Pope Francis on April 26 along with a delegation including Minister of State for Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju, his deputy, George Kurian, and Goa Legislative Assembly deputy speaker Joshua D’Souza. The day before, Murmu went to St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City to pay homage to the late pontiff. The president’s presence signalled a respect for other religions, some of which constitute substantial minorities in India. In that sense, the symbolism is welcome. But it should be more than just a gesture. It would be fitting if it were a tribute to the man himself, too. Jorge Mario Bergoglio, Pope Francis, racked up many milestones as the first Jesuit pope, the first from the Americas........

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