
Yesterday, Pope Francis on Thursday met with Prince and Princess Akishino of Japan for a 20-minute private meeting, reported Vatican Radio.
No statement was issued by the Holy See Press Office.
While Pope Francis gave the couple a copy of his encyclical on the environment ‘Laudato Si” and a peace medal, the prince and princess gave the Pontiff a porcelain vase and a framed emblem of the Imperial family.
The younger son of Emperor Akihito, the prince is second in line to the throne.