PM Modi condoles Pope Francis death, recalls his Vatican visit

Prime Minister Narendra Modi pays tribute to Pope Francis, recalling their meetings and expressing condolences to the Catholic community.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday (April 21, 2025) paid tributes to Pope Francis, who breathed his last after prolonged illness, in Vatican. He extended his condolences to the Catholic community and recalled his meeting with the Pope.

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“Deeply pained by the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis. In this hour of grief and remembrance, my heartfelt condolences to the global Catholic community. 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,” Mr. Modi posted on X, formerly Twitter.

“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.

Mr. Modi called on Pope Francis on October 30, 2021, during his visit to the Vatican on the sidelines of G20 summit in Rome. Mr. Modi and the Pope discussed myriad of issues, including fighting climate change and removing poverty. Mr. Modi invited him to visit India. Mr. Modi, who gifted a silver candle stand to the Pope, was accompanied by National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla.

Mr. Modi met the Pope again in June last year during the G7 Summit in Italy, where the Pope addressed the session, a first by a pontiff, where he offered an ethical take on AI.