Overview

• President Droupadi Murmu has arrived in Rome to attend the funeral Mass of Pope Francis, scheduled for April 26 at St Peter’s Square, Vatican City.
• India declared three days of state mourning following the death of Pope Francis on April 21 at the age of 88.
• Pope Francis, the first non-European pontiff in nearly 1,300 years, was widely recognized for his humility and interfaith outreach.
• President Murmu is leading a delegation that includes Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, Minister of State George Kurian, and Deputy Speaker Joshua De Souza.
• The Vatican has confirmed the attendance of 130 international delegations, including 50 heads of state and 10 sovereigns, for the funeral.