Pope Benedict and British Prime Minister Tony Blair today agreed on the importance of dialogue between faiths and cultures to tackle terrorism.
Mr Blair and Pope Benedict, holding talks for the first time since Pope Benedict's election last year, spoke privately in the Pontiff's study for about 40 minutes, a Downing Street spokesman said.
"The prime minister and the Pope talked about the challenges of globalisation and the importance of dialogue between the faiths to battle extremism and terrorism," he said.
"One of the themes of discussion was how the moderate voices in all the world's major religions need to stand up to religious extremism in all its forms," he added.
He said Mr Blair, who is Anglican, "underscored that the Roman Catholic Church is a very important partner in the dialogue".
A Vatican statement said both sides "underscored the contribution that common values among religions can make to dialogue, particularly with moderate Islam, above all in the areas of solidarity and peace."
The British media reported before the meeting that Mr Blair might invite the Pope to visit Britain. John Paul made a visit in 1982.