Nikolic: I would be glad if Pope visited Serbia

BELGRADE - Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic met in Belgrade Tuesday with the Secretary of the Holy See for Relations with States, Dominique Mamberti.

President Nikolic thanked the Holy See official for the Vatican holding its principles and not recognizing the unilateral proclaimed independence of Kosovo-Metohija.

Speaking on the issue of nationalized property that belonged to religious communities before World War Two, President Nikolic said that Serbia would make restitution as fast and as efficiently as possible, in accordance with the law and the country's abilities, the Serbian president’s press office said in a release.

Nikolic has sent a letter of gratitude to Pope Francis for his direct aid to Serbia in the wake of the devastating floods that hit the country in the second half of May.

Regarding the Pope’s visit to Serbia, President Nikolic said he would be glad to wish the head of the Roman Catholic Church welcome as soon as an agreement on the matter was reached with the Serbian Orthodox Church, the release said.

Photo Tanjug, R.Prelic