June 24, 2011. (Romereports.com) The prime minister of Montenegro, Igor Luksic, met with the Pope during an audience at the Vatican. It was a short visit, but a groundbreaking one as well.

The 34 year old Prime Minister met with the Vatican's Secretary of State. Both signed an agreement that defines the legal status and the role of the Catholic Church in Montenegro. It also sheds light on the ethical, spiritual and cultural values shared by both states.


The treaty makes Montenegro the first modern Orthodox country to sign this type of accord.

Roughly 75 percent of the population there is Orthodox Christian. Only about 4 percent is Catholic. Still, Luksic said, the agreement underlines the strong connection between the Holy See and the small country of 600,000 people. Especially, during its fight for independence.

The prime minister said, this agreement could be used as a base, in developing other accords with different religious communities in Montenegro.