PM Modi meets Pope Francis for the first time, discusses climate change, poverty

Mangalore Today News Network

Rome, Oct 30, 2021: Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Pope Francis on Saturday as part of his Rome visit for the G-20 Summit. This was PM Modi’s first ever one-on-one meeting with Pope Francis.

 

PM Modi and the Pope discussed a wide range of issues which aimed at making the planet better, including fighting climate change and removing poverty. The prime minister has invited Pope Francis to visit India.National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar accompanied PM Modi to meet Pope Francis.According to sources, the meeting which was scheduled only for twenty minutes went on for an hour.It may be recalled that the last papal visit happened in 1999 when Atal Bihari Vajpayee was the prime minister and Pope John Paul II came to India. Now, it is during PM Modi’s term that the Pope has been invited to visit the country.Meanwhile, PM Modi also interacted with members of the Indian diaspora in Rome on Friday evening.

 

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

PM Modi is visiting the Vatican City from October 29 to 31 at the invitation of Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi.

In his departure statement on Thursday, Modi said he will be visiting Rome and the Vatican City from October 29-31.

"During my visit to Italy, I will also visit the Vatican City, to call on His Holiness Pope Francis and meet Secretary of State, His Eminence Cardinal Pietro Parolin," Modi said.

Courtesy:India Today