Montenegrin President Milo Djukanovic said after Monday’s meeting with Pope Francis that the head of the Catholic Church would visit three Western Balkan countries next year.

Djukanovic told the Montenegrin state TV (RTCG) that the Pope would not be coming to Montenegro during the regional tour, adding that the pontiff would find time to visit the country at a later date.  

The president told the RTCG that they agreed during the meeting that bilateral relations between Montenegro and the Vatican are at a very high level and expressed satisfaction that a nunciature would be opened in Montenegro soon.  

A press release from the Montenegrin president’s cabinet said earlier that Djukanovic’s visit to the Vatican confirms the excellent relations between the Holy See and Montenegro based on the Concordat of 1886. The visit comes after a recent visit by Holy See Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin.  

Djukanovic alos visited the seat of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta.