President Droupadi Murmu of India paid a visit to St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City to honor the late Pope Francis, who passed away on April 21 at the age of 88 following a prolonged illness. During her visit, President Murmu laid a wreath at the Basilica, joining more than 130 foreign delegations, which included around 50 heads of state, in a solemn state funeral ceremony for the beloved pontiff.
Pope Francis’ body was transported to St. Peter’s Basilica on April 23, where it lay in state for three days, providing an opportunity for thousands of mourners from across the globe to say their final goodbyes. The ambiance inside the Basilica was characterized by its grandeur and somber reverence, with Latin chants resonating throughout the space. The proceedings were attended by red-hatted cardinals, bishops clad in violet capes, and Swiss Guards in their traditional striped uniforms. President Murmu, adorned in a traditional blue sari, placed flowers near the Pope’s body, which lay in a simple wooden coffin draped in red, reflecting Pope Francis’ preference for a humble farewell.
Known for his commitment to simplicity, Pope Francis had made significant revisions to papal funeral rites in 2024, intending to emphasize his role as a pastor and disciple of Christ rather than that of a worldly leader. These changes, articulated by Archbishop Diego Ravelli, the master of papal liturgical ceremonies, sought to deepen the expression of the Church’s faith in the risen Christ. The modifications resulted in a more modest ceremony, contrasting sharply with the elaborate rituals associated with previous papal funerals, such as the one for Pope Benedict XVI in 2022.
The funeral mass for Pope Francis is set to take place on April 26, presided over by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, and will signify the apex of a global expression of grief for a pontiff who navigated the Catholic Church through numerous challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic. President Murmu’s attendance at the Basilica not only highlighted India’s respect for the Pope’s legacy of compassion and humility but also underscored the strong diplomatic relations between India and the Vatican.
