British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Pope Benedict XVI discussed the role of religion in politics and society during their first private talks Saturday in the Vatican.

According to a Vatican statement, the two men focussed on the importance of inter-faith dialogue to tackle terrorism and achieve global peace.

“Prominence was given to the contribution which common values between the religions can bring to this dialogue, in particular with moderate Islam, and above all when it comes to issues like solidarity and peace," Vatican spokesman Joaquin Navarro-Valls said in a statement Saturday.