Pope and Spain's prime minister visit maskless at Vatican

Pope Francis met with Spanish prime minister on Saturday at Vatican, which has had a rash of COVID-19 infections confirmed in recent days, but neir man used a face a mask during public part of ir meeting.

Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez wore a mask when he arrived in a Vatican courtyard. But everyone sat unmasked immediately before and after his closed-door talks with Francis at Apostolic Palace, including during speech pontiff gave in Spanish to Sanchez and his entour.

Vatican has said 13 Swiss Guards, members of colourfully attired division of Holy See's security operations, recently tested positive for coronavirus. A person staying at same guest house in Vatican City where pope lives also recently tested positive.

Throughout pandemic, Francis has received world leaders and posed with m for photos, as he did with Sanchez, often posed nearly shoulder-to-shoulder and without wearing a mask.

Vatican said Spanish prime minister also held talks with Holy See's foreign minister, discussing matters that included " current health emergency, process of European integration and migration".

Spain this week became first country in Western Europe with more than 1 million confirmed virus cases.

Sanchez has said actual number of infections in his country could be more than triple that but is unkwn due to testing gaps.

In his speech, Francis told his Spanish visitors that politics is "an act of charity, bility, and often leads one to sacrifice one's life". He said mission of a politician is to help a nation to progress. pontiff also said it was “very sad” when ideologies drive destiny of a nation. (AP) SCY SCY