President of the Republic Demetris Christofias meets on Thursday noon Pope Benedict XVI.

President Christofias who arrived last night to Rome in the context of an official one day visit to the Vatican, will also be decorated at an official ceremony with the Collar of the Order `Pro Merito Melitensi` by the Prince and Grand Master of the Order of the Knights of Malta Fra’ Matthew Festing, an official press release issued here today says.

The Cyprus President will be meeting Pope Benedict XVI at noon and will then have a meeting with Cardinal Secretary of State Tarcisio Bertone.

Afterwards, he will officially visit the sovereign Order of the Knights of Malta where he will meet Festing and Grand Chancellor and Foreign Minister of the Order Jean Pierre Mazery.

President Christofias will be decorated during an official ceremony with the Collar of the Order `Pro Merito Melitensi` by Festing and will in turn also decorate the Prince.

Later on he will also visit the premises of the Community of Sant’ Egidio.

President Christofias is accompanied by his wife Elsie.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Erato Kozakou – Marcoullis, Cyprus Ambassador to the Vatican Giorgos Poulides, Director of his office Christos Christofides and other officials will be accompanying him during his official meetings.