Watch: Pope Leo receives President Myriam Spiteri Debono in private audience

Meeting also held with the Vatican's Secretary of State

President Myriam Spiteri Debono was received in private audience by Pope Leo at the Vatican on Monday, describing the call as "profound and significant".

According to a statement, they discussed various issues, notably bilateral relations, including relations between church and state, and the situation in the Middle East.

Video: Vatican Media, Office of the President. Editing: Kristina Vella

The president renewed an invitation for the pope to visit Malta. The Pope said he did not exclude the possibility, after his current programme of visits to various countries,

The president was accompanied by, among others, Foreign Minister Ian Borg and the ambassador to the Holy See Frank Zammit.

They later also had talks with the Vatican's Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin.

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