NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday condoled the death of Pope Francis stating that the Pontiff's "affection for the people of India will always be cherished."

"Deeply pained by the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis. In this hour of grief and remembrance, my heartfelt condolences to the global Catholic community. Pope Francis will always be remembered as a beacon of compassion, humility and spiritual courage by millions across the world. From a young age, he devoted himself towards realising the ideals of Lord Christ. He diligently served the poor and downtrodden. For those who were suffering, he ignited a spirit of hope," PM Modi said on X.

"I fondly recall my meetings with him and was greatly inspired by his commitment to inclusive and all-round development. His affection for the people of India will always be cherished. May his soul find eternal peace in God's embrace," the Prime Minister said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had met with Pope Francis on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Apulia, Italy. Pictures from the meeting showed PM Modi and the Pope sharing a warm embrace.

"Met Pope Francis on the sidelines of the G7 Summit . I admire his commitment to serve people and make our planet better. Also invited him to visit India," he had said on his X platform.

PM Modi had previously met Pope Francis in 2021 at the Vatican, where they discussed a wide range of issues, including the Covid-19 outbreak.