President Murmu arrives in Rome to attend Pope Francis’ funeral

New Delhi, Apr 25: President Droupadi Murmu arrived in Rome on Saturday to represent India at the funeral of His Holiness Pope Francis. Her visit, spanning two days, underscores India’s gesture of respect and solidarity following the Pope’s passing on April 21. Accompanying the President are Union Minister for Parliamentary and Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju, Minister of State for Minority Affairs and Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying George Kurian, and Deputy Speaker of the Goa Legislative Assembly Joshua De Souza.

On April 25, President Murmu will lay a wreath at the Basilica of Saint Peter. The following day, she will join a congregation of global leaders and dignitaries at Saint Peter’s Square for the funeral Mass. Pope Francis, widely admired for his compassion and commitment to global peace, was remembered in India with a three-day State Mourning. Prime Minister Narendra Modi conveyed his condolences, calling him a spiritual figure with a deep bond with India. On April 22, Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh signed the condolence book at the Apostolic Nunciature in New Delhi. The Indian national flag will fly at half-mast on April 26, and no official entertainment will be held that day.

Rome has seen heightened security in anticipation of the funeral, with military patrols, aerial surveillance, and anti-drone measures in place. Crowds have been steadily gathering at St Peter’s Basilica to pay their respects, as political leaders and royals begin to arrive. Among the dignitaries expected are UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Prince William, US President Donald Trump, Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., and Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky. The Vatican has also confirmed that many cardinal electors are still en route to Rome. The process to elect a new Pope is expected to begin roughly ten days after the funeral.