Online Report : Ending week-long engagements in Italy and Qatar, Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus returned home early Monday.

A commercial flight carrying the Chief Adviser and his small entourage landed at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 3AM.

Yunus joined the funeral mass of Pope Francis at St. Peter`s Square in Vatican City on Saturday.

SDGs Affairs Principal Coordinator Lamiya Morshed and Chief Adviser`s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam, among others, accompanied the Chief Adviser during the funeral of Pope Francis, who, according to Prof Yunus, was an "amazing" human being.

On Friday (April 25), the Chief Adviser flew directly to Rome to pay his last respects to his old friend Pope Francis.

Meanwhile, senior leaders of the Catholic Church - Cardinal Silvano Maria Tomasi and Cardinal Jacob Koovakad - met separately with Prof Yunus on Saturday shortly after the Funeral Mass of Pope Francis.

They deeply appreciated Professor Yunus` work, describing him as a close friend of the late Pope and thanking him for dedicating his life to the fight against poverty.

Meeting with Cardinal Tomasi

Cardinal Tomasi, a longtime former Permanent Observer of the Holy See in the UN offices in Geneva, called on the Chief Adviser on Saturday.

Cardinal Tomasi, who recently visited Southeast Asia, discussed geopolitical issues with the Chief Adviser. Both leaders praised Pope Francis`s efforts to call for an end to the conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza.

"Southeast Asia is evolving too fast," he said, reflecting on his visit to Vietnam, which has been clocking robust growth in recent years.

He stressed more peace-building measures in the region and staying calm in times of tension.

Professor Yunus also praised Vietnam`s spectacular economic growth, saying his government was trying to emulate the South Asian nation in its efforts to attract more foreign investments and turn Bangladesh into an economic hub.

Cardinal Tomasi said he hoped the next Pope would "keep the informality of Pope Francis" and "promote dialogue of peace among countries."

Meeting with Cardinal Jacob Koovakad

Earlier in the afternoon, Cardinal Koovakad, who is the Vatican Prefect of the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue, called on the Chief Adviser at his hotel in Rome.

Cardinal Koovakad, who is from the Indian state of Kerala, announced that the Catholic Church in Bangladesh would host an interfaith dialogue in September this year, bringing together leaders from various religions.

Professor Yunus emphasised the importance of continued dialogue among people of different faiths in Bangladesh.

He highlighted the country`s commitment to religious harmony and the interim government`s efforts to protect the rights of all citizens, regardless of ethnicity, creed, color, or gender.