PM Modi holds tete-a-tete with Pope Francis at Vatican

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Pope Francis at the Vatican Saturday in his first meeting with the head of the sovereign of the Vatican City State. (AP)

After the meeting, Modi tweeted, with pictures of him embracing the Pope, “Had a very warm meeting with Pope Francis. I had the opportunity to discuss a wide range of issues with him and also invited him to visit India.” In picture, Modi, left, is seen sitting at a table with Pope Francis on the occasion of their private audience at the Vatican, Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021. (AP)

Modi is the fifth Indian Prime Minister to have visited the head of Roman Catholics, the largest religious denomination in the world. (Reuters)

The meeting assumes significance as it comes at a time when Christians in many parts of the country have been complaining of harassment and attacks on the community and its institutions. In picture, Narendra Modi, left, is seen exchanging gifts with Pope Francis on the occasion of their private audience at the Vatican, Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021. (AP)

Christians are the third largest religious community in India. According to Census 2011, they form 2.3 per cent of the population, behind Hindus (79.8%) and Muslims (14.2%). In picture, Narendra Modi and Pope Francis are seen exchanging gifts on the occasion of their private audience at the Vatican, Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021. (AP)

Before Modi, Prime Ministers Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi, I K Gujral, and Atal Bihari Vajpayee had met the then Popes in the Vatican. (PTI)

The Prime Minister discussed with Pope Francis issues covering a range of areas of interest, including COVID-19, general global perspectives and maintaining peace and tranquility. (PTI)