Russian President Vladimir Putin and Pope Francis have discussed the need for launching concrete initiatives for reaching a political solution to the crisis in Syria.

" President Putin and Pope Francis talked about the urgent need "to promote concrete initiatives for a peaceful solution to the crisis in Syria, favouring negotiation," Agence France Presse (AFP) quoted the Vatican as saying in a statement following both sides\' meeting on Monday.

" They agreed that any solution should involve the various ethnic and religious groups, recognizing their essential role in society," the statement included.

The Vatican added that the meeting also dealt with " the delicate situation of Christians in many parts of the world and promoting the values of individual dignity and the protection of human life and family in addition to issues of common concern.

Website of Russia Today channel quoted official with the Pontifical Council for Social Communications Thaddeus Jones as saying that President Putin’s meeting with Pope enhances hope of realizing peace in Syria, praising Russia\'s efforts to resolve the crisis in it.

Vatican spokesman Federico Lombardi said Pope\'s meeting with Putin focused on the crisis in Syria, noting that the two sides stressed the need to stop the violence and resolve the crisis peacefully."

Putin\'s Spokesman, Dmitry Peskov described the meeting as "good".

On the other hand, the Russian President discussed with his Italian counterpart Giorgio Napolitano the situation in Syria, the Arab Maghreb and Iran\'s nuclear file.

Peskov said :" The talks between the two presidents were constructive