Pope Francis has met delegates from the World Evangelical Alliance including general secretary Bishop Efraim Tendero for a discussion majoring on issues of religious freedom and social justice.

According a Vatican Radio report from Zenit, Tendero said: 'We want to see this world to be a place where peace, justice and righteousness reign where everyone has a decent standard of living, and where Jesus Christ is recognised as Lord of all.'

He said major theological differences remained between evangelicals and Roman Catholics, but that it was increasingly important to 'look for a common agenda' rather than 'focus on what differs and what pulls us apart'.

Pope Francis has reached out to evangelicals and has warm personal relationships with several pastors.

However, the meeting took place against a background of suspicion expressed towards the WEA's ecumenical agenda, with several of its member bodies from predominantly Catholic countries releasing a statement challenging what they said were too-close relationships with the World Council of Churches and the Roman Catholic Church.

Tendero flatly denied an allegation in their statement that the WEA was 'about to sign a statement with the WCC and the Roman Catholic Church on unity, even on "greater oneness"'. He said: 'I can confirm without a doubt that there are no plans to sign such a statement as described on page 7 of their open letter or anything that would resemble it.'