President Horta said on social media their talks lasted 45 minutes, but as is customary did not specify what they discussed.

Horta said the pontiff’s visit to Timor-Leste topped the agenda, as well as the humanitarian situation in Myanmar and Gaza, with the President noting the Pope “shared the same views” on the latter.  They also discussed the United Nations.

The Vatican said that the economic and social situation of Timor-Leste lead talks Horta had later with two Vatican top diplomats, Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin and Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, the Secretary for Relations with States and International Organisations. They also discussed problems caused in Southeast Asia by climate change.

Topics in such meetings often mirror what is discussed in leaders’ private papal audience.

President Horta gave the Pope a “tais” cloth with an image of Pope Francis painted by a local craftsman; a rosary made with sandalwood stones; and coffee beans grown in Timor-Leste.

Horta is in Europe to hold high level meetings in France. He will then attend meetings in London and United Araba Emirates before returning home 7 February.