Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu presented Pope Francis with a book about the Spanish Inquisition during their unprecedented, 25-minute private audience at the Vatican on Monday.

Mr Netanyahu gave the pontiff the Spanish translation of the 1995 book, The Origins of the Inquisition, written by the Israeli leader’s late historian father, Ben-Zion Netanyahu.

Pope Francis presented the Israeli leader with a bronze plaque of St Paul.

The two leaders discussed the Iranian nuclear programme, Israeli-Palestinian peace talks, and the future of Christians in the Holy Land.

The Pope is reportedly expected to visit Israel on May 24 but the trip has not yet been confirmed by Vatican officials.