Apulia [Italy], June 14 (HBTV): In a significant development, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has invited Pope Francis to visit India. 

Modi said that he admires Pope Francis's commitment to serving people and making the world a better place.

‘Met Pope Francis on the sidelines of the G7 Summit. I admire his commitment to serve people and make our planet better. Also invited him to visit India,’ Modi said in a post on X.    

Modi met Pope Francis upon reaching the Summit after he was welcomed by Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni as India participates as an 'Outreach Nation' in the G7 Summit.  

Visuals from the session showed Modi sharing a hug with the Christian leader. 

Archbishop of Cuttack-Bhubaneswar and Bhubaneswar St Vincent Catholic Church, John Barwa expressed happiness after Modi met with Pope Francis at the G7 Summit in Italy, and emphasised that this will have a lasting effect on India.

"We say that this relationship of our PM and our holy father Pope will continue and will bring us a close relationship with each other...We are extremely happy and glad that our Prime minister is meeting our holy Father Pope," Barwa said.  

"This will have a lasting effect on the country and surely, we Christians will have the possibility to live in peace and harmony in the country and we assure that we will also work for peace and justice and happiness in the country," he told ANI.  

Earlier today, Modi took part in the ongoing Group of Seven Outreach Session on Artificial Intelligence, energy, Africa, and the Mediterranean being held in Italy's Apulia on Friday. 

The Indian prime minister was welcomed by Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni as India participated as an 'Outreach Nation' in the G7 Summit.  

Modi arrived in Italy's Apulia on Thursday late night to attend the G7 Outreach Summit. 

(ANI) This is a syndicated news feed. HBTV has edited it for clarity.