Nikolic to convey SPC stance to Pope Francis

BELGRADE - Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic will pay a one-day official visit to the Vatican on Friday and convey to Pope Francis certain positions of the Serbian Orthodox Church (SPC) which are of mutual interest, the president's media relations office said in a release.

Ahead of the visit to the Vatican at the invitation of Pope Francis, President Nikolic met with Patriarch Irinej and will convey to the Pope positions of the SPC that are of interest for both Churches, the release states.

On his visit, President Nikolic will meet with Supreme Pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church, Pope Francis, as well as with the State Secretary of the Holy See, Cardinal Pietro Parolin.

The Serbian president will also confer with the Holy See's Secretary for Relations with States, Archbishop Peter Gallagher, and the head of the Department for Western Balkans, the statement reads.

Photo Tanjug, Z. Zestic (archive)