"People of Bangladesh will be in my prayers," he said in his remark while giving a private audience to Foreign Minister M Morshed Khan in his library in the Vatican City on Tuesday, a message received from Rome said.

Morshed Khan conveyed the greetings of President Iajuddin Ahmed and Prime Minister Khaleda Zia to the high priest of the Catholic Church.

Appreciating the Pope's remarks about Bangladesh, he said the government is fulfilling its constitutional obligation to provide full freedom in the exercise of religious and other human rights to all communities. " This has enabled Christians, Hindus, Buddhists, Muslims and other groups to live in harmony."

Morshed Khan said many of the problems in the world arise for a lack of tolerance and understanding of one another's views. " His Holiness the Pope with his high moral authority could play a lead role in advancing understanding among cultures and peoples," he added.

Later, Morshed Khan had a meeting with His Eminence Cardinal Sodano, Secretary of State of the Holy See. Cardinal Sodano also appreciated the situation of religious minorities, particularly the Christian community in Bangladesh.

About global war against terrorism, Cardinal Sodano stressed that the Palestine problem needs to be resolved immediately.

Moeshed Khan welcomed the remarks of Cardinal Sodano and discussed initiatives that could be taken for furthering international understanding and dialogue among different faiths.