Anastasiades arrives in the Vatican

President Nicos Anastasiades began an official three-day trip to the Vatican on Sunday, during which he will have a meeting with the Pope.

It is the third time during his presidency that Anastasiades will pay such a visit.

“Cyprus and the Holy See maintain exceptional bilateral relations,” a presidential announcement said.

Anastasiades will meet Pope Francis on Monday morning.

Climate change and migration are set to be the main topics of discussion.

The president is set to thank the pope again for his initiative to house 50 migrants from Cyprus in the Vatican and the establishment of diplomatic ties with Nicosia.

The Pope visited Cyprus last December and in a letter of thanks afterwards described Anastasiades as a “wise man”. At the same time, he expressed his wishes for peace, brotherly cooperation and prosperity to all Cypriots.

President Anastasiades will then have a meeting with the Prime Minister of the Vatican Cardinal Pietro Parolin and the Minister of Foreign Affairs Archbishop Paul Gallagher.

In the evening, he will attend a dinner hosted in his honour by the Ambassador of Cyprus to the Vatican, George Poulidis, in the presence of the Prime Minister of the Holy See, during which Anastasiades will be presented with a medal by Parolin with the Necklace of the Order of Knights of Pope Pius IX.

Anastasiades will return to Cyprus on Tuesday.