The meeting between the leader of the main opposition party (SYRIZA) Alexis Tsipras and Pope Francis in Vatican lasted about one hour.

The issue of banks was the main topic of their discussion, since Pope Francis has expressed his interest on this issue many times.

Pope Francis referred to a “crisis of values”, adding that saving the banks and not the people is inconceivable. They also discussed issues related to migration stressing the need of making every possible effort to prevent more deaths in the Mediterranean.

Moreover Pope Francis asked Alexis Tsipras to send his regards to Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew adding that he was looking forward to meeting him at the Phanar in Istanbul during the celebration of Apostle Andrew’s day.

“We had the opportunity to discuss about the economic crisis, which is primarily a crisis of values” said Alexis Tsipras after the meeting, adding that they talked also about “the need to have peace in the world”.

“We asked him to continue fighting and speaking for the human rights and dignity and to take the initiative for finding a solution for the Middle East crisis”, said Mr. Tsipras adding that he “told him about the dramatic situation of Greece, which after four years of strict austerity is still in deep recession”.