Pope Francis has accepted Prime Minister Narendra Modi's invitation to visit India, the PMO said on Saturday. Modi met Francis earlier in the day and discussed a wide range of issues, including the COVID-19 pandemic and the challenges posed by climate change.
Modi is the first Indian prime minister to meet Francis since he became Pope in 2013.
"Had a very warm meeting with Pope Francis. I had the opportunity to discuss a wide range of issues with him and also invited him to visit India,” he tweeted.
According to a press statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs, Pope Francis received Modi in a private audience at the Apostolic Palace in the Vatican. “During the meeting, the two leaders discussed the COVID-19 pandemic and its consequences for people across the world. They also discussed the challenge posed by climate change,” the release said.
His Holiness appreciated India's assistance to countries in need during the pandemic, the MEA said. Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla later said the Pope looked forward to visiting India, ANI reported.
India and The Holy See have friendly relations dating back to the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1948. India is home to nearly 18 million Catholics, the second largest Catholic population in Asia.
With PTI inputs
