Prince Akishino, the younger son of Emperor Akihito, and his wife, Princess Kiko, met with Pope Francis at the Vatican May 12. It was the first audience with the pope by any member of the Imperial family since 1993, when the Emperor and Empress Michiko met Pope John Paul II.
The meeting, which lasted 20 minutes, involved the exchange of gifts.
The Prince and Princess were expected to visit museums and Japanese residents in Italy. They were also welcomed by the Italian President Sergio Mattarella at the presidential palace and attended a ceremony to celebrate the 150th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and Italy.
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