(Kolkata, Feb 12, IANS) Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi paid his respects at the tomb of Mother Teresa and urged the world to emulate her path of compassion and peace.

Visiting the Missionaries of Charity (MoC), the order founded by the late Nobel laureate who was referred to as the saint of the gutters, Prodi said: "Mother Teresa is an example of peace, compassion and sympathy and what the world needs today is compassion."

Prodi and his wife Flavia Franz reached Mother House, headquarters of the MoC, around 10.30 a.m. and was accorded a warm welcome. He was received by Assistant Superior General Sister Nichole at the gate as Mother Superior Sister Nirmala is in Africa.

The couple entered the Mother's tomb to offer prayers in Italian and lit candles.

"It is great joy for all of us that the Italian prime minister has come here. Mother Teresa remains with us and we remember her everyday," said Sister Nichole.

The couple was offered a book on Mother Teresa, booklets on MoC and Mother's medallion. Prodi also met Italian volunteers working at the MoC in Kolkata and enquired about their work here.

The couple visited Sishu Bhavan, an orphanage run by MoC.

Prodi started his five-day visit to India from Chennai on Saturday. He went to Bangalore and Mumbai before coming to Kolkata.

He will make his last stop at New Delhi on Feb 14 where he is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.