Thiruvananthapuram/Kochi, Dec 31 (PTI) Kerala's Catholic community, which comprises a significant portion of the State's population, mourned the death of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI.

Also Read | Russian Refugee and Putin's Critic Andrew Glagolev Found Begging at Bhubaneswar Railway Station; Detained by Odisha Police.

Also Read | WhatsApp New Year Celebration Live Streaming Link Shows Incorrect Map of India, Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar Tells To Fix Immediately.

He was the first pontiff in 600 years to resign from the job, under whose tenure India got its first saintess.

Kerala nun Sister Alphonsa became saintess Alphonsa after being canonised by Pope Benedict XVI in 2008.

She was a nun belonging to the Syro Malabar Church, one of 23 "Oriental" or "Eastern" churches in full communion with the Catholic Church.

Head of Syro Malabar Church George Alencherry directed all parishes under his command to toll bells in churches and Christian establishments.

The State political leadership joined the Catholics in mourning.

Senior Congressman and Leader of Opposition in the State Assembly V D Satheesan said the death was a great loss to not only Christians but to the whole world.

Satheesan, in a Facebook post, said Benedict was a great theologian, scholar and a good shepherd leading believers to progressive ideas.

Senior Left leaders and Ministers Antony Raju and Roshy Augustine also expressed grief.

While Raju, on his FB page, condoled the death, Augustine said he was pained to hear the tragic news.

"He was the first Pope to abdicate his post in the history of the church and his life will continue to shine light on the world and church. Let us pray for the peace of his soul," Augustine said.

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)