In one of the deadliest aviation disasters in India in decades, an Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner bound for London crashed into a residential area near Ahmedabad International Airport on June 12, killing nearly all 242 people on board. As the nation and global community mourned, Pope Leo XIV joined the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) in offering prayers and spiritual support to those affected.
Pope Leo XIV expressed his grief in a telegram signed by Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, stating he was “deeply saddened by the tragedy involving an Air India aircraft near Ahmedabad.” He offered his “heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of those who have lost their lives” and commended “the souls of the deceased to the mercy of the Almighty,” according to Vatican News.
The CBCI, in a public statement, echoed the pope’s sentiments, calling the tragedy “heartbreaking” and saying it “has left the nation in shock and mourning.” The bishops urged the faithful 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,” and affirmed that “we stand in solidarity with the victims and their families and with all the rescue personnel working tirelessly at the crash site.”
The aircraft, filled with fuel for its transcontinental journey, exploded seconds after takeoff from Ahmedabad, the commercial capital of Gujarat. Reports confirmed that the wide-body jet struck the state-run B.J. Medical College hostel, a residence for doctors. At least five medical students were killed on the ground, and 50 others injured, according to Divyansh Singh of the Federation of All India Medical Association (Associated Press). Debris and flames engulfed nearby multistory buildings, adding to the destruction.
Archbishop Thomas Macwan of Gandhinagar, who leads the Catholic Church in Gujarat, told Catholic News Agency that “there are no words to describe this tragedy.” He had reviewed the passenger list and “could identify the names of at least four or five Christians,” noting that more may be among the deceased.
In addition to the Indian passengers and crew, the plane carried 53 Britons, seven Portuguese nationals, and one Canadian, Reuters reported. Among the deceased was Vijay Rupani, the former chief minister of Gujarat, confirmed by Indian lawmaker Sambit Patra.
Rescue workers and military teams responded swiftly. A verified social media video showed the plane slowly descending before vanishing behind a row of buildings, followed by a massive fireball (Associated Press). The tail section of the aircraft remained lodged in a nearby building, a grim reminder of the force of the crash.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the incident “devastating,” while King Charles III and Queen Camilla offered “special prayers and deepest possible sympathy” to all affected, acknowledging the shared grief across nations (UK Parliament, BBC).
For Catholics and people of goodwill, this moment is a solemn call to prayer and unity. As the CBCI urged, “We humbly urge all our Catholic faithful and all people of goodwill across the country to join us in prayer.” In times of inexplicable loss, the Church becomes a refuge — not only through charity and consolation but through its enduring mission to pray for the dead and comfort the living.
In the words of Pope Leo XIV, may the souls of those lost be “commended to the mercy of the Almighty.” May those who mourn be lifted up by the solidarity and prayers of the global Catholic family.
