President Droupadi Murmu will attend the state funeral of Pope Francis in Vatican City this week, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said. Murmu will pay a two-day visit to Vatican City beginning Friday, offering condolences on behalf of the government and people of India. She will pay homage to Pope Francis by laying a wreath at Basilica of Saint Peter on Friday and attend the funeral Mass at Saint Peter's Square on April 26.
Which are some of most special places in the world to celebrate Christmas?
A Durga Puja committee in Ranchi modified its Vatican City-themed marquee after objections from a Hindu group. The image of Jesus Christ was replaced with Lord Krishna.
The Sree Bhumi Sporting Club in Kolkata plan to make the Vatican City the theme for its pandal for the Durga Puja festival.
President Droupadi Murmu attended the funeral Mass of Pope Francis at St Peter's Square in Vatican City on Saturday. She was part of an official Indian delegation led by the President and also paid homage to Pope Francis at the Basilica of St Peter. India had declared a three-day state mourning on the passing of Pope Francis, who died on Monday at the age of 88.
The Pope's funeral is scheduled for Saturday at 10 a.m. in St. Peter's Square, to be led by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, dean of the College of Cardinals.
Pope Francis, who passed away at the age of 88 in Rome on Monday, April 21, less than a day after delivering a brief Easter Sunday message in St Peter's Basilica, is remembered as a spiritual leader whose life and final moments were deeply intertwined with prayer and devotion.
World leaders and tens of thousands of faithful gathered at St Peter's Square in the Vatican City on Saturday to honor Pope Francis in a poignant farewell.
Pope Francis has died, the Vatican said on Monday. The Pope passed away on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, at the age of 88 at his residence in the Vatican's Casa Santa Marta, according to a statement from the Vatican.
The papal conclave, the process to elect a new Pope, is set to begin on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, following Pope Francis' death. The event takes place within the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City and involves the College of Cardinals.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has criticized the Centre over the landing of US planes carrying illegal Indian immigrants at Amritsar airport, calling it a "deport centre." He stated that the holy city is known for its religious sites and should not be used for deportations. Mann has also questioned the choice of Amritsar as the landing site, suggesting that other airports in the country could have been used instead. The second US flight carrying 119 illegal Indian immigrants is slated to land in Amritsar on Saturday night. The Punjab government has made arrangements to take the residents of Punjab from among the second batch of deportees to their hometowns.
'Senior Vatican officials were pleasantly surprised at the number of Indians who had come to witness the ceremony.'
Clearing the air before the end of the monsoon session on Tuesday, the CM said, "Shradha is a physiotherapist sent by my sister late Gita Mehta to take care of my physical fitness."
'Standing before the majestic Ram Mandir, embraced by a sense of peace and devotion. A truly humbling experience. Grateful for this blessed moment.'
Tiger dances in London... Vidya visits Vatican City...Vivek tries Dubai cuisine...
Efficient land use, minimum congestion, a focus on dharamshalas (inns) and homestays, upgrading the infrastructure while retaining the historical and cultural character of the city are some of the highlights of the plan prepared by Kukreja, the managing principal of CP Kukreja Architects.
Glimpses from Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI's funeral at the Vatican City, January 5, 2023.
Catholics pay homage to Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI at the Vatican.
Rediff.com takes you on a journey inside the world's smallest independent state and headquarters of the Roman Catholic Church
PIX: Piety, reverence and grandeur - Inside Vatican City
Every week, we bring you fascinating videos, chosen by you, through your likes.
While Narendra Modi spent fewer days abroad than his predecessor -- 275 days versus Dr Singh's 306 - he has travelled more widely than any other Indian PM.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday arrived in Rome, Italy to participate in the G20 Summit where he will join other leaders in discussions on global economic and health recovery from COVID-19, sustainable development and climate change.
Modi made the remarks at a meeting, held via video conferencing, with district magistrates of over 40 districts having low vaccination coverage.
We bring you a list of countries that do not have armed forces, or have done away with them completely
Vatican greets all Hindus on the occasion of Diwali
Pope Francis blessed thousands of Harley Davidson riders in the Vatican city during the four day celebration marking the American bike manufacturer's 110th anniversary.
The weekly audience held by Pope Benedict XVI at Paul VI Hall in Vatican City was in for a shock on Thursday, when a group of toned dancers took off their shirts for an acrobatic performance.
Following his weekly general audience in the Vatican City, the Pope received the group on Wednesday, which included five wives of country leaders.
The 115 cardinals responsible for electing a new Pope are currently inside the most beautiful chapel in the world, holding the most furiously guarded conclave on the planet.
Rediff.com takes a look at some of the prominent papabile cardinals who might take over from Pope Benedict XVI.
He also said that although India got independence much before Goa became free, people of the country could not enjoy at that time as they felt uneasy thinking that one part was the country was still under foreign rule.
Mother Teresa, who cared for the world's most unwanted and became an icon of the Catholic Church, was canonised at a ceremony in St Peter's Square in Vatican City.
In a damning article, the Vatican's official newspaper L'Osservatore Romano has condemned the popular teenage boy wizard for promoting witchcraft and occult.
The delegation accompanying President George W Bush to the funeral of Pope John Paul II will include former presidents George H W Bush and Bill Clinton and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.
'All in all, the Papacy would seem to be simply offering salvation with discounts and incentives without seeking redemption itself.'
His breathing is shallow, his blood pressure is low and he is having difficulties with both his heart and kidneys, a spokesman said.
Coming just a day after she was canonised by Pope Francis in the Vatican City, the death anniversary had a special significance on Monday.
The House of Commons petitions committee has confirmed that 77,000 signatures were added fraudulently and have been removed.
© 2026 Rediff.com - Investor Information - Advertise with us - Disclaimer - Privacy Policy - Sitemap - Feedback - About us - Terms of use - Grievances