Pope Francis welcomes Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the Vatican on October 31, 2021.
MARGAO
South Goa MP Captain Viriato Fernandes has said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has failed to officially invite Pope Francis for the forthcoming exposition of the relics of St Francis Xavier.
Commenting on the reports that Pope Francis will not be visiting Goa for the forthcoming exposition, the South Goa MP was categorical in saying there is no official invitation sent to the Pope by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit Goa during the exposition.
Saying that better late than never, the MP said the Prime Minister should try and invite the Pope to the Exposition, though saying the Pope may have other engagements during the period.
“I had come to know about this around 15 days back that the Pope will not visit Goa. I can tell you categorically from my sources in Delhi, that no official invitation was extended by Prime Minister Modi to the Pope during his visit to Italy,” he said.
He added: “When the PM met the Pope in Italy, it must have been an unofficial meeting. There is a protocol that needs to be followed. The PM should have sent an invitation to the Pope to visit India and Goa. That has not been done.”
Saying that the Pope has visited several countries in East Asia, including Singapore recently, the MP said, “Better late than never. Now at least, the Prime Minister should send an invite if the government wants the Pope to visit Goa for the exposition. Because exposition comes once in 10 years.”
