PM Narendra Modi and Pope Francis hug on the occasion of their private audience at the Vatican.
Pope Francis received PM Modi in a private audience at the Apostolic Palace in the Vatican, the Ministry of External Affairs said. They discussed a wide range of issues, including the Covid-19 pandemic and the challenge posed by climate change.
This was the first meeting between an Indian Prime Minister and the Pope in more than two decades.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs, Modi extended an invitation to Pope Francis to visit India at an early date, which was accepted with pleasure. The last Papal Visit happened in 1999 when Atal Bihari Vajpayee was the Prime Minister and Pope John Paul II came.
The meeting between PM Modi and Pope Francis that was scheduled only for 20 minutes went on for an hour. They discussed a wide range of issues aimed at making the planet better by fighting climate change and removing poverty, sources said.
Modi gifted a specially-made silver candelabra and a book on India's climate initiatives to Pope Francis.
Modi explained to the 84-year-old Pontiff that the candelabra was specially made and the book is on climate change, an issue close to the Pope.
PM Modi also interacted with world leaders, including US President Joe Biden, on the sidelines of the G20 Summit, exchanging pleasantries and showcasing a spirit of camaraderie.
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