India, April 21 -- Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday condoled the passing of Pope Francis, who died on Monday at 88, saying that the first Latin American pontiff will be remembered as a "beacon of compassion, humility and spiritual courage".

Modi recalled his meetings with Pope Francis and the religious leader's affection for the people of India, and said he was inspired by the commitment of the head of the worldwide Catholic Church to inclusive and all-round development. Modi and the late pope last met on the margins of the G7 Summit in Italy last year.

"Deeply pained by the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis. In this hour of grief and remembrance, my heartfelt condolences to the global Catholic community," Modi said in a post o...