World leaders have expressed deep sorrow and paid heartfelt tributes following the passing of Pope Francis, remembering him as a compassionate spiritual leader.
"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.
Among the 135 cardinals currently eligible to vote in the papal conclave, four are from India. These include Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrao, Cardinal Baselios Cleemis, Cardinal Anthony Poola, and Cardinal George Jacob Koovakad.
The 88-year-old head of the Roman Catholic Church was recently discharged from Rome's Gemelli Hospital, where he spent five weeks receiving treatment for an infection that led to double pneumonia.
"I appeal once again," Pope Francis said, "for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, for the release of the hostages... and for access to humanitarian aid," the Pope said.
The meeting comes after months of tension between the administration of US President Donald Trump and American church leaders over immigration policies.
US Vice President JD Vance attended a Good Friday service at St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, Italy, as part of his Easter weekend visit, and is scheduled to meet with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican's secretary of state, on Saturday
The 88-year-old pontiff greeted people at the Vatican and appeared to be in good spirits. He was seated in a wheelchair and appeared to be wearing what appeared to be a nasal cannula to aid his breathing.
Pope Francis on Sunday made his first public appearance after a month-long absence, at the hospital's balcony before making his way back to his residence, Casa Santa Marta.
In the image, the 88-year-old Pope is seen wearing a stole, a vestment worn while concelebrating Mass. Pope Francis has been battling pneumonia at the hospital in Rome, CNN reported.
Pope Francis is not considered to be in imminent danger from the infection he arrived to the hospital with, a Vatican source said on Monday, as reported by CNN.