Tonga's King George Tupou V met the Head of the Catholic Church Pope Benedict XVI on February 24 in the Vatican City in Rome.

According to the website Rome Reports.com the king and the Pope met and had cordial discussions on social areas important both to the government and the church. They talked about Tonga's economy and the contribution made by the Catholic Church in Tonga.

King George Tupou V gave the Pope a signed photograph of himself. In turn the pope gave the king a medal of his pontificate.

The king also met with Archbishop Dominique Mamberti, the Secretary for Relations with States.

Accompanying the king was his Private Secretary David Dunkley and Tonga's High Commissioner in London HE Dr Sione Ngongo Kioa.

King George Tupou V has been away from Tonga since November last year.