Free Republic

The Pope has told the prime minister to pursue diplomatic solutions to problems in the Middle East, including Iran. Tony Blair had a private audience with pontiff Benedict XVI at the Vatican on Saturday at the end of a week-long trip to Italy. The two leaders discussed how "moderate voices" from the world's main religions need to work together to tackle extremism and reduce the risk of terrorism, according to Number 10. As well as the Middle East, Iran and Iraq, they also covered the fight against poverty in Africa in their first meeting since the Pope succeeded John Paul...