Condoling the death of Pope Francis, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that the Catholic priest’s affection for the people of India will always be cherished.

Dubbed “the people’s Pope”, the Argentine pontiff loved being among his flock and was popular with the faithful, though he faced bitter opposition from traditionalists within the Church.

Pope Francis, who was the first Latin American leader of the Roman Catholic Church, became pope in 2013 after his predecessor, Benedict XVI, resigned.