President Droupadi Murmu to Attend Pope Francis’ Funeral in Vatican City
President Droupadi Murmu will embark on a two-day official visit to Vatican City on April 25–26 to attend the state funeral of Pope Francis, who passed away on April 21 at the age of 88. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed the visit in an official statement, highlighting that President Murmu will represent the Government and the people of India in offering their final respects to the late pontiff.
During her visit, President Murmu is scheduled to lay a wreath at Saint Peter’s Basilica on April 25 to honor Pope Francis. On April 26, she will join several world leaders and dignitaries at Saint Peter’s Square for the funeral Mass. The Vatican has announced that at least 130 foreign delegations have confirmed their attendance, including 50 heads of state and 10 reigning monarchs.
Notable dignitaries attending include US President Donald Trump, French President Emmanuel Macron, Prince William from the United Kingdom, and King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain.
Following Pope Francis’ demise, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep sorrow, stating, “Pope Francis will always be remembered as a beacon of compassion, humility, and spiritual courage. His affection for the people of India will always be cherished.”
The Prime Minister also recalled his meetings with the Pope and praised his unwavering commitment to inclusive development and humanitarian service. “He diligently served the poor and downtrodden and ignited a spirit of hope among those suffering,” Modi posted on X (formerly Twitter).
To mark the solemn occasion, India had earlier declared a three-day period of state mourning. The Union Ministry of Home Affairs has also announced that April 26, the day of the funeral, will be observed as a day of national mourning. The national flag will fly at half-mast across India on all buildings where it is regularly displayed, and no official entertainment will take place.
On April 22, Kirti Vardhan Singh, Minister of State for External Affairs and Environment, visited the Apostolic Nunciature in New Delhi to sign the condolence book on behalf of the Government of India.
Pope Francis, the first Latin American to serve as the leader of the Roman Catholic Church, assumed the papacy on March 13, 2013, following the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI. His tenure was marked by efforts to promote inclusivity, environmental consciousness, and interfaith dialogue.
The funeral service will be led by Giovanni Battista Re, the Dean of the College of Cardinals. After the service, the Pope’s body will be moved to St. Mary Major for burial, concluding a poignant farewell to a globally respected spiritual leader.
