Press Association
Saturday June 23, 2007 2:28 PM 
The Vatican on Saturday bid farewell to Tony Blair as British prime minister, wishing him well in what it said were his plans to work for Middle East peace and inter-religious dialogue. Mr Blair and Pope Benedict XVI men met privately for 25 minutes before being joined for further talks by English Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor. The Vatican stop on Mr Blair's farewell tour has fueled rumors that he plans to become a Roman Catholic. A Vatican statement made no mention of the conversion rumors and the press office called the audience a normal meeting between the Pope and a government leader. Mr Blair leaves office on Wednesday. The statement, issued after the talks with Pope Benedict and a separate meeting with Secretary of State Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, said there was a "frank" assessment of the international situation, including such "delicate" themes as the Middle East conflict and the future of the European Union. The Vatican opposed the US-led invasion of Iraq, which Mr Blair supported. The statement said that Mr Blair has expressed the desire "to dedicate himself in a particular way for peace in the Middle East and for inter-religious dialogue." Mr Blair's life after Downing Street has been a matter of speculation. Earlier this week, it was suggested that US President George Bush, a close ally, wants him to take the job of Middle East envoy for the Quartet of peacemakers - the US, European Union, United Nations and Russia. Downing Street has refused comment on the reports. Greeted by the Pope, Mr Blair explained that he had just arrived from an EU summit in Brussels. "I heard it was very successful," Pope Benedict said. © Copyright Press Association Ltd 2007, All Rights Reserved.
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