By Anto Akkara
Bangalore, India, Jun 12, 2025 /
11:31 am
Pope Leo XIV on June 12 joined the Catholic Bishops Conference of India (CBCI) in expressing condolences and prayers following the crash of the Air India Boeing Dreamliner to London that killed nearly 250 passengers shortly after takeoff at Ahmedabad, the commercial capital of western Gujarat state.
Stating he was “deeply saddened by the tragedy,” Leo in a message offered “heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of those who have lost their lives” while “commending the souls of the deceased to the mercy of the Almighty.”
The CBCI, meanwhile, said the “heartbreaking incident … has left the nation in shock and mourning.”
“We extend our heartfelt condolences to the families and loved ones of all those who lost their lives in this devastating accident,” the bishops said.
“We humbly urge all our Catholic faithful and all people of goodwill across the country to join us in prayer for the victims of this tragedy — for the eternal rest of those who have died [and] for comfort to the bereaved,” the prelates added.
“We stand in solidarity with the victims and their families and with all the rescue personnel working tirelessly at the crash site.”
Officials have confirmed 241 on board dead as the wide-bodied aircraft, reportedly filled with fuel for over 7,000 miles, exploded after crashing just seconds after takeoff without gaining height near the Ahmedabad International Airport.
Reports of a sole survivor of the crash could not be confirmed as of press time.
There are “no words to describe this tragedy,” Archbishop Thomas Macwan of Gandhinagar, who heads the Catholic Church in Gujarat, told CNA.
“I went through the list of passengers and could identify the names of at least four or five Christians. There could be more as surnames are common to different religions and only first names will reveal the identity,” the archbishop said.
“The visuals of charred buildings at the crash site adds to fears of more deaths,” he added.
Media reports say at least five medical students may have died and many more were injured in the flight crash when it hit the compound of the BJ Medical College, run by the government.
Several multistory buildings in the vicinity were reportedly shattered and burnt in the crash of the Dreamliner. The airliner was reportedly carrying 181 Indians, including 12 crew, besides 61 foreign nationals.
Among the passengers was reportedly Vijay Rupani, the former chief minister of Gujarat.
Anto Akkara is a journalist writing from Bangalore, India. He is a regular correspondent with the National Catholic Register. Besides international reporting, Akkara has written books and produced documentaries telling the stories of the martyrs of Kandhamal. He has recieved the St. Titus Brandsma Award for journalism.
