Pope Francis Dies: When PM Modi Met Catholic Church Leader And Invited Him To India | Video

Last Updated:April 21, 2025, 14:38 IST

Pope Francis' Death: Last year, the Pope met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Apulia, Italy

PM Modi with Pope Francis | File Image/AFP

Pope Francis’ Death: Pope Francis, the first Latin American to lead the Roman Catholic Church, died at the age of 88, the Vatican announced on Monday.

Last year, the pope met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Apulia, Italy, where the two leaders shared a warm hug and exchanged pleasantries.

During their meeting, which included other world leaders discussing topics like Artificial Intelligence, Energy, Africa, and the Mediterranean, PM Modi invited the Pope to visit India and praised his dedication to public service.

Modi, the first Indian Prime Minister to meet the incumbent pontiff since he became head of the Catholic Church in 2013, previously met Pope Francis at the Vatican in 2021, where they discussed a wide range of issues, including the COVID-19 pandemic.

‘A Beacon Of Compassion’

PM Modi on Monday expressed deep sorrow over the passing of the Pope and offered condolences to the global Catholic community.

In a post on X, PM Modi shared photos from his meeting with the Pope last year and wrote, “Deeply pained by the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis."

“Pope Francis will always be remembered as a beacon of compassion, humility and spiritual courage by millions across the world. From a young age, he devoted himself towards realising the ideals of Lord Christ. He diligently served the poor and downtrodden. For those who were suffering, he ignited a spirit of hope," PM Modi said.

“I fondly recall my meetings with him and was greatly inspired by his commitment to inclusive and all-round development. His affection for the people of India will always be cherished. May his soul find eternal peace in God’s embrace," he added.

News india Pope Francis Dies: When PM Modi Met Catholic Church Leader And Invited Him To India | Video