Blair meets Pope in Vatican City

Vatican City: British Prime Minister Tony Blair held long talks with Pope Benedict XVI during a meeting in the Vatican City on Saturday, a stop on his farewell tour before he leaves office on Wednesday.

The men met privately for 25 minutes and then were joined for further talks with English Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor.

The meeting has raised speculation that Blair will announce he is converting to Catholicism.

Blair's wife Cherie, who was with him on his trip to the Vatican, is a Roman Catholic, the couple's children have attended Catholic schools and Blair habitually attends Catholic rather than Anglican services.

The Vatican press office has called the audience a normal meeting between the pope and a government leader.