Christian Community across the country appreciates PM’ Modis meeting with the Pope with great optimism

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s meeting with Catholic church head Pope Francis at the Vatican on Saturday was appreciated by  Christian community leaders across India.

This was the first-ever meeting, the leaders discussed a wide array of issues including Covid-19, general global perspectives, and maintaining peace and tranquility.

Here is what Community Leaders said:

Catholic Church of Kerala are waiting eagerly towards the blessed moments of visit of Pope Francis, the Bishop of Rome & Head of the Catholic Church. President of Kerala Catholic Bishops’ Council appreciates PM Modi for his historical invitation: Kerala Catholic Bishops’ Council https://t.co/LfYqk3MyYb

— ANI (@ANI) October 30, 2021

Indian Christians are very glad that our PM has met our Pope. Surely, the relationship will grow. We were looking forwards to this meeting for many years. We are happy & feel proud about it: John Barwa, Archbishop of Cuttack-Bhubaneswar & head of churches in Odisha pic.twitter.com/2eB4dfugkJ

— ANI (@ANI) October 30, 2021

It is great news not just for Christians but for every Indian. We wanted the Pope to visit India. We hope that Pope’s visit will come as an opportunity to further the inter-faith harmony: Father S Shankar, Spokesperson, Delhi Catholic Archdiocese on PM Modi-Pope Francis meeting pic.twitter.com/bffZegQTjN

— ANI (@ANI) October 30, 2021

PM Narendra Modi on Saturday met Pope Francis, the head of the Catholic Church at the Vatican, in a first-ever one-to-one meeting.

PM invites Pope Francis to India.

Kevin Mathew Sunny, Kerala Christian Forum & Indulekha Joseph, Church Act Activist share views with @ridhimb pic.twitter.com/9aHHKChrPF

— News18 (@CNNnews18) October 30, 2021

#EXCLUSIVE | “The Pope is very interested in India and he has often asked me and spoken about it. I think it will result in greater communication and collaboration. I think it will be good for the Catholic Church, India and PM Modi himself”: Archbishop of Bombay, Oswald Gracias pic.twitter.com/TgZCQVaqiJ

— Republic (@republic) October 30, 2021

Athletes :

It is wonderful to see our Honourable PM meeting with Reverend Pope.Indeed it’s another step towards building a new India, fulfilling the dreams and aspirations of a rising billion https://t.co/LEE3Iu4V58

— Anju Bobby George (@anjubobbygeorg1) October 30, 2021

The meeting of the Prime Minister of India @PMOIndia and the Pope @Pontifex is a great step forward towards peace, harmony and inter-faith dialogue. #loveandacceptance #loveconquersall pic.twitter.com/6nxzNDf9gq

— Robin Aiyuda Uthappa (@robbieuthappa) October 30, 2021

Political Leaders:

Our feed is blessed today with Hon’ble PM Sh. @narendramodi Ji meeting His Holiness @Pontifex at Vatican.

This is a historic moment of great significance to Christians across India and the globe. May God bless them.@VaticanNews @cbcimedia pic.twitter.com/K45IRasxvd

— Conrad Sangma (@SangmaConrad) October 30, 2021

A Momentous Confluence of Paramount Representatives of Democratic Spirit and Christian faith.Great minds make the world a better https://t.co/jDP6EGSArm and compassion, great minds bring heaven to earth.@narendramodi Ji and His Holiness @Pontifex @JPNadda@blsanthosh @BJP4India pic.twitter.com/oI2QAmLsOw

— Tom Vadakkan (@TomVadakkan2) October 30, 2021

The PMO release said it was the first meeting between an Indian Prime Minister and the Pope in more than two decades.

In June 2000, late Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee had last visited the Vatican and met the then Pope John Paul II.

PM Modi also extended an invitation to Pope to visit India at an early date, which was accepted with pleasure, the release added.