Photos: Sudanese 'Apostasy' Woman Meets The Pope In Rome

Now we can take a deep breath...She is finally safe from the hands of her persecutors.The Sudanese woman who fled to Italy after being spared a death sentence for renouncing Islam has met the Pope. Meriam Yahia Ibrahim Ishag flew to Rome with her family after more than a month in the US embassy in Khartoum. There was global condemnation when she was sentenced to hang for apostasy by a Sudanese court.



 Welcoming her at the airport, Italy's Prime Minister Matteo Renzi said:

"Today is a day of celebration."Mrs Ibrahim met Pope Francis at his Santa Marta residence at the Vatican soon after her arrival.

  "The Pope thanked her for her witness to faith," Vatican spokesman Father Federico Lombardi was quoted as saying. The meeting, which lasted around half an hour, was intended to show "closeness and solidarity for all those who suffer for their faith," he added...More photos below...