Scottish Catholic Observer

Meriam Yahia Ibrahim Ishag (above, with Pope Francis)  flew to Rome with her family today 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.

Mrs Ibrahim’s father is Muslim so according to Sudan’s version of Islamic law she is also Muslim and cannot convert. She was raised by her Christian mother and says she has never been Muslim.

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 Fr Federico Lombardi said.

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.

Meriam and her family will settle in the United States.