The former prime minister of the UK, Tony Blair, greeted the pope at the end of the General Audience. He expressed his concern for the situation facing minorities in the Middle East and he offered his willingness to work with Pope Francis to help them.
“It's so good to see you. It's a very great honor.”
“Pray for me, don't forget.”
“I always...Please pray for me too. I need your prayers. It's so good to see you. I'm a very, very big admirer. ”
“I'm with... protecting minorities in the Middle East and I think we can, with the leadership in the Middle East, work with you to do this.”
“Thank you very much, it is very kind.”
“Pray for me, don't forget.”
“I will pray for you, please pray for me.'
It's not the first time the British politician and Catholic convert has been in the Vatican. In 2007, he visited Benedict XVI, just before he was succeeded as Prime Minister by Gordon Brown in June of that year.
