Pope Francis on Thursday conveyed a “heartfelt solidarity and spiritual closeness” to the Indian people in a message to Cardinal Oswald Gracias, Archbishop of Bombay. 

“At this time when so many in India are suffering as a result of the present health emergency, I am writing to convey my heartfelt solidarity and spiritual closeness to all the Indian people, together with the assurance of my prayers that God will grant healing and consolation to everyone affected by this grave pandemic,” read the message to Gracias, who is also the President of the Catholic Bishops Conference of India (CBCI).