The King of Tonga has been received by Pope Benedict the sixteenth.
Reports from the Vatican say King George Tupou V's talks with the pontiff focused on the social and economic life of Tonga and the contribution of the Catholic Church in different sectors of society.
They also exchanged views on the current international situation, with particular reference to Pacific Island states.
Sixteen percent of Tonga's population belongs to the Catholic Church.
Reports say the King gave the Pope a signed photograph of himself and the Pope in turn gave the King a medal of his pontificate.
