The President and the First Lady were warmly welcomed by the Chief Protocol of Vatican Jose Betterncourt, the Sri Lanka Ambassador in Italy Daya Pelpola and the Ambassador to the Holy See Ravinatha Ariyasinha.

A group of Sri Lankans in Italy also was present there to welcome the President and the First Lady.

President Sirisena and the First Lady Jayanthi Sirisena will call on Pope Francis today (Dec. 14).

The President is scheduled to visit the Vatican Museum and Saint Peter Bassilica tomorrow and leave Vatican for Colombo on Tuesday evening concluding the two days state visit, the President's Media said.

Minister John Amaratunga, State Minister Sudarshani Fernando Pulle and Mrs. Rosy Senanayake were in the President’s delegation.