Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs and Minority Affairs, Kiren Rijiju, Minister of State for Minority Affairs, George Kurian and Deputy Speaker of the Goa Legislative Assembly, Joshua De Souza, who are part of the official Indian delegation, also attended the ceremony.
Large crowds lined up along Rome's streets to pay their respects to Pope Francis as the white popemobile carrying his coffin made its way across the Vatican flanked by motorbikes on its way to the pope's final resting place, a place of his choosing.
"A special mass celebrating the life of late Pope Francis, who passed away on 21st April in the morning early. Today is his funeral in Rome. People are gathered in Vatican, including many leaders. He is a person who has revolutionised the world, inculcating in them human values and gospel va
President Droupadi Murmu paid homage to Pope Francis at the Saint Peter's Basilica in Vatican City on Friday, along with senior Indian ministers, the Ministry of External Affairs said.
President Droupadi Murmu on Friday departed for Vatican City to attend the State Funeral of Pope Francis. Accompanying her on this visit are Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs and Minority Affairs, Kiren Rijiju; Minister of State for Minority Affairs and Fisheries, Animal Husbandry
Rijiju said that the delegation also includes Union Minister of State for Minority Affairs and Fisheries George Kurian and Goa's Deputy Speaker Joshua Peter De Souza.
President Droupadi Murmu will visit Vatican City for a two-day visit from April 25 - 26 to attend the State Funeral of Pope Francis and offer condolences on behalf of the Government and people of India.
Union Ministry of Home Affairs on Thursday made the declaration through a statement, and further announced that the National flag will be flown at half-mast on the day throughout India on all buildings where it is flown regularly and there will be no official entertainment.
As speculation intensifies over who will succeed Pope Francis, predicting the outcome of the papal conclave remains challenging, as the cardinals' positions can shift with each vote.