Pope Francis, Alberto II of Monaco discuss Europe's migration crisis

Vatican City, Jan 19 (IANS/AKI) Europe's migration crisis, security and humanitarian aid were on the agenda at the auience of Prince Albert II of Monaco and his wife Charlene with Pope Francis, the Vatican said in a statement.

"Issues affecting the international community, including peace and security, the reception of migrants, and the general situation in the Mediterranean region, as well as the Middle East" were discussed on Monday, the Vatican said.

The "cordial" talks included environmental protection, humanitarian aid, and the integral development of peoples, the Vatican said.

Albert II also met the Vatican's second-in-command, secretary of state Cardinal Pietro Parolin, and its secretary of relations of states Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher.

Albert II gave Francis a basket of fruit, vegetables and cheese as well as the Monaco edition of the his papal encyclical on the environment Laudato si' and a medal, Vatican Radio reported.

Francis gave the couple a pontifical medal and a copy of his apostolic exhortation Evangelii gaudium (the Joy of the Gospel), the station said.

--IANS/AKI

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