Prime Minister Narendra Modi has lauded Pope Francis for his dedicated service to humanity and extended a warm invitation for the pontiff to visit India soon. Their meeting took place on the sidelines of the G7 Summit’s Outreach Session held at Borgo Egnazia, where PM Modi expressed admiration for Pope Francis’ efforts towards global welfare.
In a tweet following their encounter, PM Modi wrote, “Met Pope Francis at the G7 Summit. I appreciate his commitment to serving people and improving our planet. I also invited him to visit India.” The meeting marked a significant diplomatic gesture, reminiscent of the October 2021 private audience between the Pope and PM Modi at the Apostolic Palace in the Vatican, marking the first such meeting in over two decades between an Indian Prime Minister and the Pope.
Historically, relations between India and The Holy See have been amicable since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1948. India, boasting the second-largest Catholic population in Asia, maintains cultural and religious diversity that resonates with the global community.
The invitation extended by PM Modi to Pope Francis underscores India’s commitment to fostering international cooperation and interfaith dialogue, building upon the legacy of past bilateral engagements such as the visit by late Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee to meet Pope John Paul II at the Vatican in June 2000.
