President Mahinda Rajapaksa who is on an official visit to Vatican City, met with His Holiness Pope Francis on Friday.

The Presidential Media Unit said the President had formally presented an invitation to the Pope, to visit Sri Lanka.

The delegation led by the President arrived at Vatican City at about 10:30 on Friday morning local time where they were greeted ceremonially, and the President accorded a guard of honour.

The Presidential Media Division says that President Rajapaksa met His Holiness Pope Francis at the Apostolic Palace.

The President had briefed Pope Francis on Sri Lanka’s progress in areas including the resettlement of displaced persons, de-mining, the return of LTTE child soldiers to their parents, and infrastructure development.

The Presidential Media Divisions says that the President had pointed out to the Pope that although certain groups were spreading misconceptions, there exists peace and reconciliation among all religious groups.

The Pope had thanked the President for briefing him on the current situation in the country and had noted that he is looking forward with enthusiasm to his visit to Sri Lanka.

The statement issued by the Presidential Media Division also noted that Pope Francis and President Rajapaksa, exchanged ideas on the Pope’s visit to Sri Lanka.