World / Pope Francis accepts invitation to visit India, praises India on this important issue

Vatican City: Giving information about Prime Minister Narendra Modi's meeting with Pope Francis during his visit to Rome, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Saturday that the PM's "meeting with Pope Francis was very warm" and that he was a Roman Catholic. Discussed various issues including the challenges posed by Covid-19 and climate change with the head of the church. Also invited him to visit India soon. Let us tell you that Modi is the first Indian Prime Minister whom Francis has met after becoming Pope in 2013. PM Modi also shared pictures of the meeting. During this, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and National Defense Advisor Ajit Doval also accompanied him.

Pope met Indian PM after almost 20 years

Following the meeting, Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla described the meeting as a "unique occasion" as the last interaction between the Prime Minister of India and the Pope was held in June 2000, when the late Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee met Pope John Paul II at the Vatican. had. Shringla said, the meeting took place in private between the Prime Minister and the Pope; The two leaders discussed a range of current issues, including the COVID-19 pandemic, economic and health recovery from the pandemic, climate change and environmental issues. The warmth of this conversation between the two can be gauged from the fact that the meeting was scheduled for 20 minutes, but lasted for about an hour.

Pope accepts invitation to visit India

Describing the acceptance of the Prime Minister's invitation, Shringla said, "The Pope has graciously accepted the Prime Minister's invitation and said, 'You have given me the greatest gift, I look forward to coming to India.'

Discussion on all important issues

A Foreign Ministry release said that India and the Holy See (Vatican City) have had friendly relations since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1948. India is the second country with the largest Catholic population in Asia, where about 18 million Catholics live. During the meeting, the two leaders also discussed the COVID-19 pandemic and its consequences for people around the world and the challenge posed by climate change.

India praised on 100 crore vaccine dose

Let us tell you that Prime Minister Modi is in Italy to attend the G20 summit. He told the Pope about India's ambitious initiatives in tackling climate change and India's success in delivering 100 crore doses of the Kovid-19 vaccine. Prime Minister Modi will also attend the climate summit to be held in Glasgow from Sunday. Pope Francis appreciated India's assistance to countries in need during the pandemic.

PM gave this special gift

According to Vatican News, Prime Minister Modi gifted the Pope a specially prepared silver stand of candles and a book, "The Climate Climb: India's Strategy, Action and Achievements", during the hour-long meeting. The Pope also gifted PM Modi a bronze plaque with the inscription "The Desert Will Become a Garden", books of Pope's documents, his message for World Peace Day and documents on human fraternity.