'Grateful' pope may meet Meriam

(see related) (ANSA) - Rome, July 24 - Pope Francis may meet Meriam Ibrahim during her stay in Rome, an NGO that has campaigned for Christian woman who was sentenced to death in majority-Muslim Sudan for apostasy said on Thursday.
    "I spoke to (Vatican spokesman) Father Federico Lombardi and he assured me that he'll work for a meeting with the pope," said Antonella Napoli, president of the Italians for Darfur association.
    Lombardi told ANSA, however, that "no decision" has been made on whether Francis will meet Meriam, who was released from death row after her case sparked international outrage.
    Junior Foreign Minister Lapo Pistelli, who led the Italian government's negotiations with Khartoum for Meriam to be allowed to leave Sudan and accompanied her to Italy, said that the woman and her family with probably have some "important meetings in the coming days".
    "The Holy Father has been informed by Premier (Matteo) Renzi about this case and he expressed his gratitude to our country," added Pistelli.
    http://popefrancisnewsapp.com/