New Delhi, Sep 4 (IANS): The stage has been set for canonisation of Mother Teresa on Sunday afternoon when she will be elevated to sainthood by Pope Francis in Vatican City.

The canonisation ceremony will take place on the eve of her 19th death anniversary. She died on September 5, 1997.

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj is leading the official delegation from the country.

Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi on Sunday described Mother Teresa as a "symbol of service and compassion" and recalled her "extraordinary power of love".

"A symbol of service and compassion. Mother Teresa showed the world the extraordinary power of love. We celebrate today that enduring legacy of love," his office tweeted.

The Congress party in another tweet said: "Every Indian takes immense pride in the canonisation of Mother Teresa as Saint Teresa."

The world renowned nun worked most of her life with the poor in Kolkata and that had made her an instantly recognisable global figure.

Separate delegations for the canonisation ceremony are also being led by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.