New Delhi, Ap 25: President Droupadi Murmu departed for Vatican City on Friday to attend the State Funeral of His Holiness Pope Francis. She is accompanied by a high-level delegation, including Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs and Minority Affairs, Kiren Rijiju; Minister of State for Minority Affairs and Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, George Kurian; and Deputy Speaker of the Goa Legislative Assembly, Joshua De Souza.
In a post shared on X (formerly Twitter), the Rashtrapati Bhavan stated, “President Droupadi Murmu departs for Vatican City to attend the State Funeral of HH Pope Francis.” The message also noted the dignitaries accompanying her on this solemn visit.
President Droupadi Murmu departs for Vatican City to attend the State Funeral of HH Pope Francis. She is accompanied by Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs and Minority Affairs, Shri Kiren Rijiju; Minister of State for Minority Affairs and Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and… pic.twitter.com/yCoZh8s0nq
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) April 25, 2025
President Murmu's visit to Vatican City will span two days, from April 25 to 26, during which she will offer condolences on behalf of the Government and people of India. On April 25, she will lay a wreath at the Basilica of Saint Peter as a tribute to the late Pope. The following day, April 26, she will attend the funeral Mass at Saint Peter’s Square, joining world leaders and dignitaries in mourning the global spiritual leader.
Pope Francis passed away on April 21 at the age of 88 in the Vatican’s Casa Santa Marta. He made history as the first Latin American pope and was known for his humility, compassion, and advocacy for social justice. He succeeded Pope Benedict XVI on March 13, 2013, and served as the head of the Roman Catholic Church for over a decade.
The Ministry of External Affairs, in a press release, paid tribute to Pope Francis, stating, “His Holiness Pope Francis will be remembered as a beacon of compassion, humility, and spiritual courage by millions worldwide.”
In honour of Pope Francis’s funeral, India has declared a day of state mourning on April 26.
