VATICAN (TASS): Pope Francis met for the first time with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who arrived Saturday morning for a private audience at the Vatican. As it became known to journalists, the conversation lasted almost an hour.
In the official communiqué following the meeting, the Holy See’s press service limited itself to stating that “during a short conversation, the parties noted the goodwill of the current relationship bet-ween the Holy See and India.” Modi also held talks with the Vatican Secretary of State (Head of Gover-nment), Cardinal Pietro Parolin, and the Secretary for Relations with States, Paul Richard Gallagher.
The Indian leader, who arrived in Rome to attend the G20 summit, which opens on Saturday in the Italian capital, was accompanied by a small delegation. India is considered one of the key countries in the search for a solution to the climate crisis.
Modi presented the pontiff with a silver candelabrum and a book on India’s efforts to preserve the environment.
Of the pontiffs, only John Paul II (1920-2005) visited India in 1986 and 1999. Francis expressed his desire to visit this country.
Narendra Modi invited the pontiff to visit India. “There was 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,” the head of the Indian government said on his Twitter page .
As the Indian Foreign Ministry notes on its website, “the invitation was accepted with pleasure.”
“During today’s meeting, the two leaders discussed the COVID-19 pandemic and its implications for people around the world. They also discussed the issue of climate change. The Prime Minister briefed the Pope on the ambitious initiatives taken by India to combat climate change, and also on the success of India with the introduction of one billion doses of vaccines against COVID-19. His Holiness praised India’s assistance to countries in need during the pandemic, “the ministry said in a statement.
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