Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah bin Abd al-Aziz al Saud is to meet with Pope Benedict XVI in Vatican City as part of his European tour.

The king is slated to meet with the pope at 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday to discuss defense of religious and moral values, the Middle East conflict, the political and religious situation in Saudi Arabia and the importance of inter-cultural and inter-faith dialogue.

The king is leading a delegation which includes the ministers for foreign affairs, finance, labor and culture and information, as well as members of the royal family.

The two countries do not have diplomatic ties, but King Abdullah met Benedict's predecessor John Paul II in 1999 when he was crown prince to his half brother King Fahd.

The Saudi king is currently on a European tour which has already taken him to London and Geneva. On Wednesday he will travel to Berlin and Turkey before returning to Riyadh.

HRF/BGH