Putin meets Pope Francis, exchanges gifts

It's the third meeting between Putin and Pope Francis, in what some observers believe could be a prelude to a papal visit to Russia.

Vatican City: Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Pope Francis and exchanged gifts in the Vatican on Thursday.

It's the third meeting between Putin and Pope Francis, in what some observers believe could be a prelude to a papal visit to Russia.

No pope has ever set foot in Russia, but Putin's foreign affairs adviser said the issue wasn't on the agenda for the visit.

Later during his one-day visit, Putin will meet with Italian President Sergio Mattarella followed by a Russia-Italy forum with Premier Giuseppe Conte and Italian Foreign Minister Enzo Moavero.