Polish PM holds talks with pope

The audience was Szydło’s first with the pope, who is to visit to staunchly Catholic Poland for World Youth Day in July.

Szydło told reporters after the meeting: "I said that young people are waiting, they are looking forward to his arrival in Poland. We also talked about Polish families, we talked about Poland, the pope expressed his deep thanks.

"He was glad that programs are being introduced in Poland, including support programs for families."

World Youth Day takes place from 25 to 31 July, with millions of pilgrims expected to flock to Poland.

Szydło presented the pope with a reprint of a translation of the Bible dating from 1599, and in return received a commemorative medal, traditionally given to national leaders.

Szydło then headed for a meeting with the Vatican's foreign minister, Archbishop Paul Gallagher.

Pope Francis has been a high-profile advocate for refugees who have fled from the war-torn Middle East and North Africa to Europe. Last month he took three families of Syrian refugees back to Rome after visiting a camp for migrants in Greece.

Meanwhile, Jarosław Kaczyński, the head of Szydło’s ruling, conservative Law and Justice (PiS) party, has said that Poland will not accept refugees because they pose a threat to the country’s security. (pk)

Source: PAP