Pope Francis likely to visit India post-2025 Jubilee Year celebrations, says Union minister

Union minister George Kurian said that India had already extended an official invitation to the Pope, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally inviting him.

Updated on: Dec 7, 2024, 14:10:59 IST

By HT News Desk, hindustantimes.com

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

Union minister George Kurian said on Saturday that Pope Francis' visit to India is likely to take place after 2025, designated as the "Jubilee Year" by the Catholic Church.

Kurian mentioned that India already extended an official invitation to the Pope, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally inviting him.

However, the Vatican would determine the final arrangements and scheduling.

He told the Asianet channel that the visit would align with Pope Francis’s availability.

Kurian, the Union minister of state for minority affairs, was part of a delegation visiting the Vatican to attend the ordination of Archbishop George Jacob Koovakad as Cardinal by Pope Francis, which is set to take place on Saturday.

Pope's visit to India

George Jacob Koovakad, 51, from Kerala, has been organising Pope Francis's international visits since 2020 and is among 21 clergy members elevated to Cardinal.

Previously holding the title of Monsignor, Koovakad was named the Titular Archbishop of Nisibis in Turkey. Union minister George Kurian explained, “The Church will celebrate 2025 as the Jubilee Year of Jesus Christ’s birth, and the Pope will be occupied throughout the year.”

He added, “Based on the information received, Pope Francis is expected to visit India after the Jubilee Year. We hope his visit will happen at the earliest.”

Kurian highlighted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and India’s Christian community eagerly anticipate the Pope’s visit.

Earlier, Goa minister Mauvin Godinho hinted that the visit might happen sooner than expected. PM Modi personally invited Pope Francis during the G7 Outreach session held in Apulia, Italy, in June this year.

Pope Francis, the head of the Roman Catholic Church and sovereign of Vatican City, is notable as the first Pope from the Society of Jesus, the first from the Americas and the Southern Hemisphere, and the first non-European Pope since Syrian Pope Gregory III in the 8th century.

(With PTI inputs)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

Get the latest India News, breaking headlines and real-time updates from across the country. Stay informed about politics, government policies, crime, weather and major national developments.