Vatican City, Oct 30: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has invited Pope Francis to India after a one-on-one meeting in Vatican City on October 30. He was accompanied by National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Foreign Minister Dr. S Jaishankar. The meeting was scheduled only for 20 minutes but went on for an hour.
PM Modi in a tweeted said, “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.”
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. @Pontifex pic.twitter.com/QP0If1uJAC
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 30, 2021
Our feed is blessed today with Hon’ble PM Sh. @narendramodi Ji meeting His Holiness @Pontifex at Vatican.
This is a historic moment of great significance to Christians across India and the globe. May God bless them.@VaticanNews @cbcimedia pic.twitter.com/K45IRasxvd
— Conrad Sangma (@SangmaConrad) October 30, 2021
PM Modi and the Pope discussed a wide range of issues aimed at making our planet better such as fighting climate change and removing poverty.
The meeting took place ahead of the delegation-level talks during which they are expected to discuss a range of issues such as COVID-19. PM Modi is on a two-day visit to Rome for the G20 Summit at the invitation of Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi.
There was no set agenda for the talks with the Pope.
“I believe tradition is not to have an agenda when you discuss issues with His Holiness. And I think we respect that. I’m sure the issues that will be covered would cover a range of areas of interests in terms of the general global perspectives and issues that are important to all of us,” Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla had said yesterday.
PM Modi will then head to Glasgow in the UK for the COP26 meeting at the invitation of British Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
The Prime Minister interacted with people of various communities, including the Indian community and friends of India from different organisations.
In Rome last evening, I had a great interaction with members of the Indian diaspora in Italy, those who are studying about India and those who have developed a close bond with our nation over the years. It was wonderful to hear their views on diverse topics. pic.twitter.com/D2jq845R7D
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 30, 2021
Earlier, PM Modi had paid floral tributes at the bust of Mahatma Gandhi in Rome.
In Rome, I had the opportunity to pay homage to Mahatma Gandhi, whose ideals give courage and inspiration to millions globally. pic.twitter.com/fbaSOYjIr4
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 29, 2021
