Vatican City, Jun 26, 2018 / 12:42 pm
The heated debate over immigration in Europe was a central topic of discussion in a meeting between Pope Francis and French President Emmanuel Macron at the Vatican Tuesday.
The June 26 meeting marked the first time the two had met since Macron's election in May 2017.
During the 57-minute conversation, which took place in the Vatican's apostolic palace and was described as "warm" and "friendly," Francis and Macron spoke on a variety of topics.
Europe's ongoing migrant crisis was a key part of the discussion. Macron has made headlines in recent days by vocally opposing Italy's new Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior, Matteo Salvini, who has turned away refugee boats at the harbor and called for strict immigration policies.