New Delhi:On Friday President Droupadi Murmu departed for Vatican City to attend the State Funeral of Pope Francis, who passed away on April 21, 2025, at the age of 88.

Accompanied by Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs and Minority Affairs, Kiren Rijiju, Minister of State for Minority Affairs and Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Shri George Kurian, and Deputy Speaker of the Goa Legislative Assembly, Joshua De Souza, she will represent India at this momentous event.

During her two-day visit, President Murmu will lay a wreath at the Basilica of Saint Peter on Friday to pay her respects to the late pontiff. On Saturday, she will attend the funeral Mass at Saint Peter’s Square, where several world leaders and dignitaries are expected to gather, including US President Donald Trump, UK’s Prince William, French President Emmanuel Macron, Spanish King Felipe VI, and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a statement following Pope Francis’ death, expressed condolences and noted the Pope’s enduring affection for the people of India. India has also declared three days of state mourning to honour Pope Francis, and Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh signed the condolence book at the Apostolic Nunciature in New Delhi on April 22.

The State Funeral, expected to be a historic gathering of international figures, marks the final rites for Pope Francis, a leader remembered for his compassion and advocacy for peace.