Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh on Sunday condoled the death of Pope John Paul II.
The Pope died on Saturday at 2137 local time, a statement issued by the Vatican said.
"Pope John Paul II was a people's Pope. He specially endeared himself to Indians when he granted sainthood to Mother Teresa. He was a great reconciler of religions, a humanist," said the PM.
President A P J Abdul Kalam also joined the PM in condoling the death of the Pope, saying the world has lost a statesman who worked for human dignity and freedom all his life.
"I am deeply saddened on the passing away of Pope John Paul II," the President said in a message on Sunday.
"The world has lost a church leader and a statesman who throughout his life worked for the needy and oppressed. He tirelessly worked for peace on this planet and to establish an international order based on equality and justice", he said.
Kalam said "the government and the people of India join me in paying tribute to the departed soul", according to
Rashtrapati Bhawan spokesman S M Khan.
The funeral will take place on Wednesday, the Vatican has said.
The Pope's health had been deteriorating for the past few months. He suffered a heart attack on Friday and had bouts of fever apparently due to urinary tract infection. He was given the Viaticum, popularly known as the Last Rites, which is administered to those near death, on Friday.
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(With PTI inputs)
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