Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak met with Pope Benedict XVI at the pontiff's summer residence at the Apostolic Palace in Castel Gandolfo, outside Rome, today.

Najib brought along with him a multi-faith entourage including Ministers in the Prime Minister's Department, Koh Tsu Koon and Jamil Khir Baharom, and Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Bernard Dompok.

They were joined by National Fatwa Council chairman Abdul Shukor Husin and Archbishop Murphy Nicholas Xavier Pakiam.

It was the second meeting between a Malaysian prime minister and the Pope after the one involving former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Pope John Paul in June 2002.

The Pope is the ruler of both Vatican City State and Holy See.

The Holy See is the universal government of the Catholic Church and operates from Vatican City State, a sovereign, independent territory of 0.44sq km.

Najib's wife Rosmah Mansor accompanied him on the trip.

- Bernama