In the midst of the Lok Sabha elections, the UPA government is learnt to have decided to send a delegation to Rome later this week for a Vatican canonisation ceremony. The move follows extensive debate within top echelons due to the political connotation involved. The ceremony, to be presided by Pope Francis, is expected to be held on April 26-27. Aware of the political signals it may send and the trip could be seen as an attempt to woo the Christian community, the Congress-led UPA government is understood to have taken the Election Commission’s permission for approval. Sources said the government is likely to send an all-party delegation to blunt the criticism that the Congress and its coalition partners are trying to get the votes of the community. This Vatican ceremony is significant for Christians across the world since the event involves double canonisation of two former popes who will be made saints. While canonisation takes place once in many years, it is rare for two to take place at one go. It was decided to send a delegation of political representatives since the Vatican has always acknowledged the importance of India, both in global and Asian terms.
