President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu, will travel to Vatican City on April 25–26, 2025, to attend the State Funeral of His Holiness Pope Francis and offer condolences on behalf of the Government and the people of India.
During the visit, President Murmu will lay a wreath at the Basilica of Saint Peter on April 25 as a mark of homage. On April 26, she will attend the funeral Mass at Saint Peter’s Square, joining world leaders and dignitaries in paying their final respects to the late pontiff.
India joins global mourning for Pope Francis
Pope Francis passed away on April 21, 2025, triggering an outpouring of grief worldwide. Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi offered heartfelt condolences, recalling Pope Francis’s enduring affection for India and his legacy of compassion and spiritual leadership.
On April 22, Minister of State for External Affairs and Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Shri Kirti Vardhan Singh, visited the Apostolic Nunciature (Embassy of the Holy See) in New Delhi to sign the condolence book.
India has also declared three days of State Mourning in memory of the late Pope.
A spiritual legacy remembered
Pope Francis, the first Jesuit and Latin American pope, will be remembered globally as a symbol of humility, compassion, and courage, who worked tirelessly to bridge divides, champion the marginalized, and uphold moral clarity in times of turmoil.
His connection with India was widely recognized through interfaith dialogues, peace-building initiatives, and his inclusive vision for humanity.
President Murmu’s participation at the Vatican stands as a testament to India’s deep respect for the spiritual legacy of Pope Francis and its solidarity with the Catholic community worldwide.
