Lucknow, April 21 -- Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has expressed condolences on the demise of Pope Francis.

An official statement from the Chief Minister's Office read, "The passing of His Holiness Pope Francis, the supreme spiritual leader of the Catholic Christian community, is deeply saddening and an irreparable loss to the spiritual world."

"In this hour of grief, my condolences are with the global Catholic community. His Holiness Pope Francis will always be remembered for his compassion, humility, and noble spirit of service. I pray to the Almighty to grant the departed soul eternal peace and give strength to his grieving followers to bear this immense sorrow. Om Shanti!," it added.

Meanwhile, the Government of Indi...