Pope Francis has admitted the Secretary General of the Muslim World League in the Vatican as two religious leaders discussed shared Islamic and Christian values as well as civilizational alliance.

The two sides exchanged views on a number of issues related to shared values and the civilizational alliance, said the office of Pope Francis in the Vatican.

“We discussed our shared values and building bridges between civilizations based on effective and sustainable initiatives,” he added. “I appreciate Pope Francis’s kind hospitality and noble sentiments.

Sheikh Mohammad Al-Issa, in his remarks to Pope Francis said he was delighted with the sincere, brotherly and deep dialogue with Pope Francis at his residence.

Pope Francis held a number of private meetings on Saturday after resuming his regular appointments a day after canceling his schedule due to a fever.