PM Modi calls on Pope Francis, holds one-on-one talks with pontiff

The Prime Minister's entourage included External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval as he arrived at the Vatican City for the talks.

He was warmly welcomed at the Vatican City by the senior members of the papal staff.

He is to hold delegation level talks with the Pope after the conclusion of one-on-one talks.

Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla said earlier in a briefing, that "The Prime Minister will pay a call on His Holiness, Pope Francis at the Vatican City, and thereafter, he will attend G20 sessions."

He added, "I know that the Prime Minister will have a separate call (with the Pope); he will be meeting his holiness on a one to one basis. And that could, after a certain period of time, be followed up by delegation level talks. The Vatican has not set an agenda. I believe, tradition is not to have an agenda when you discuss issues with His Holiness. And I think we would respect that.

“I'm sure the issues would cover a range of areas of interest in terms of the general global perspectives and issues that are important to all of us, COVID-19, health issues, how we can work together, how we can work together to maintain peace and tranquility, and this is something that, I think would be the general trend in the discussions.”