Pope Francis, Stephen Harper meet at Vatican

Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Pope Francis discussedthe situation inUkraine andenvironmental issues, as well as a recommendationin a report on the treatment of Canadian children at residential schools, when the two met at the Vatican today.

The Prime Minister's Office issued a statement following the 10-minutemeeting, saying Harper and Francis discussed global security challenges.

"Prime Minister Harper addressed the situation in Ukraine andhis deep concern with Vladimir Putin's aggression, occupation andviolence in Ukraine," the PMO's statement said.

• Stephen Harper urged to seek apology from Pope on residential schools

On Wednesday, the Pope met with Russian President VladimirPutin, alsoat the Vatican, for almost an hour.

The PMO said Harperalso drew attention to a letter sent to the Holy See last week by Minister of Aboriginal AffairsBernardValcourtthat broughtkey recommendations included in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission'sreport to its attention.

Thereport urged the Pope to travel to Canada to issue a formalapology for "the church's role in the spiritual, cultural, emotional, physicaland sexual abuse of First Nations, InuitandMtischildren in Catholic-run residential schools."

While there was no word if Harper invited Francis to Canada to make thatapology, he did extend an invitation to come for the country's150thbirthday celebrations in 2017.

The Vatican saidenvironmental issues were discussed, without adding any specifics.The Pope has raised the topic with several world leaders recently.

• Pope Francis might try to talk about climate change with Stephen Harper

On June 18, Francis willrelease one of his occasional "encyclicals"a letter to onebillionCatholics worldwidewith a focus on stewardship of the environment.

Thursday is the final day of Harper's six-countryEuropean trip, which included stops in Ukraine and Poland.