President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola met with His Holiness Pope Francis during an audience at the Vatican on Friday morning.

In a Facebook post, Metsola said: "Grateful for our extensive talks today as we step up global efforts towards peace, justice and our shared humanity."

President Metsola and the Pope discussed the main topics on the European agenda, a statement by Metsola's office about the meeting read. "On Ukraine, President Metsola reiterated that the EU, as a peace project, is unwavering in its strong support to Ukraine in its defence against Russia's unprovoked and unjustified war of aggression."

"They also discussed migration, where President Metsola stressed the need for a European and human-centric approach leaving no country, and no individual in need of protection alone. President Metsola and the Pope spoke about the current situation in the Middle East on which President Metsola underlined Europe's effort to de-escalate, as well as the need to find a sustainable way forward in the region to achieve long-term peace," the statement by Metsola's office read.

President Metsola told Pope Francis that humanity and the quest for peace will always remain at the centre of the European Parliament's work and praised the Pope's tireless work and leadership in promoting reconciliation and peace.