Russian president Vladimir Putin will meet the Pope today – amid claims he is planning to name scandal-mired Silvio Berlusconi as Russia’s ambassador to the Vatican.

Mr Putin will hold private talks with Pope Francis about the Syrian conflict, months after the Pope sent him an angry letter criticising the G20’s failure to provide more aid.

Now it has been claimed Mr Putin is set to grant Berlusconi diplomatic immunity – despite him being convicted of sex with an underage prostitute and facing another trial over bribery claims.

It would hand Berlusconi several privileges including a right to travel – something his numerous convictions have forced him to give up.

The former Italian premier and Putin, both highly controversial figures in world politics, are close friends and regularly defend each other against criticism.
In September the Pope wrote directly to Putin imploring him to co-operate with other international leaders to help the people of Syria.