Indian delegation to Vatican: President Murmu, Rijiju, Kurian, De Souza attend Pope Francis funeral

• DIMAPUR — Indian delegation to Vatican led by President Droupadi Murmu attended the funeral service of Pope Francis at Saint Peter’s Square in Vatican City on Saturday, April 26.
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• Pope Francis was buried in the Basilica of St. Mary Major in central Rome after the Eucharistic celebration. Hundreds of thousands of people lined up to witness the coffin containing the mortal remains of the pope being brought from Saint Peter’s Basilica to be laid to rest.
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• President Murmu paid a two-day visit to Vatican City to homage to Pope Francis who died on Monday (April 21) aged 88. The delegation, which included Kiren Rijiju, George Kurian and Joshua De Souza, arrived in Rome on Friday.

• “The President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu attended the funeral Mass of His Holiness Pope Francis at Saint Peter’s Square in Vatican City today (April 26, 2025). Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs and Minority Affairs, Shri Kiren Rijiju, Minister of State Minister for Minority Affairs, Shri George Kurian and Deputy Speaker of Goa Legislative Assembly, Shri Joshua De Souza, who are part of the official Indian delegation, also attended the ceremony,” updated President's Secretariat on Saturday.
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• Murmu, Rijiju and De Souza also posted about the visit on the X (Formerly Twitter) accounts.
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"President Droupadi Murmu paid homage to His Holiness Pope Francis at Basilica of Saint Peter in Vatican City," read a post on President of India X handle.

"Attended the Funeral Mass of His Holiness Pope Francis at Saint Peter’s Square, Vatican City, alongside Hon’ble President Smt. Droupadi Murmu ji, MoS @GeorgekurianBjp ji & Dy. Speaker of Goa @Joshua_De_Souza ji. A solemn moment of prayer & reflection, bidding farewell to a guiding light of faith & humanity," posted Rijiju on X.

"Paid my respects at the Funeral Mass of His Holiness Pope Francis at St Peter’s Square, Vatican City. It was a profoundly moving occasion, paying tribute to a life dedicated to service, compassion, and faith. Humbled to witness this historic moment in the esteemed presence of the Hon'ble President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu ji, Union Minister Shri @KirenRijiju ji, and Minister of State Shri @GeorgekurianBjp ji. A farewell of great significance that united the world in prayer," De Souza also shared.

Dozens of heads of state and royals paid their last respect to the head of Catholic Church, who was known for his humility and simplicity. World leaders who attended the funeral ceremony on Saturday included US President Donald Trump, Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelensky and Argentine President Javier Milei. Among the royals were King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain, King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden, and Prince William of United Kingdom who represented King Charles III.

• The Vatican had earlier confirmed that at least 130 delegations from around the world, including 50 heads of state and 10 reigning monarchs, were expected to attend the funeral of Pope Francis.
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