President Droupadi Murmu led the Indian delegation to the Vatican for the State Funeral of Pope Francis, who passed away on April 21. Arriving in Rome on April 25, President Murmu paid her respects at Saint Peter’s Basilica, accompanied by Union Ministers Kiren Rijiju and George Kurian, and Goa Legislative Assembly Deputy Speaker Joshua De Souza.
The Indian government declared three days of mourning in honor of the late pontiff, whose affection for India was noted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Minister of State for External Affairs, Kirti Vardhan Singh, also signed the condolence book at the Holy See’s embassy in New Delhi.