Benedict (left) and Blair. - Reuters

VATICAN CITY (AP):

The Vatican on Saturday bid farewell to Tony Blair as British prime minister, wishing him well in what it saidwere his plans to work for Middle East peace and inter-religious dialogue.

Blair and Pope Benedict XVI met privately for 25 minutes and then were joined for further talks by English Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor. The Vatican stop on Blair's farewell tour has fueled rumours that he plans to become a Roman Catholic.

A Vatican statement made no mention of the conversion rumours and the press office called the audience a normal meeting between the pope and a government leader. Blair leaves office on Wednesday.

The statement, issued after the talks with Benedict and a separate meeting with Secretary of State Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, said there was a "frank" assessment of the international situation, including such "delicate" themes as the Middle East conflict and the future of the European Union.

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The Vatican opposed the United States-led invasion of Iraq, which Blair supported.

The statement said that Blair has expressed the desire "to dedicate himself in a particular way for peace in the Middle East and for inter-religious dialogue."

Blair's life after Downing Street has been a matter of speculation. Earlier this week, it was suggested that U.S. President George W. Bush, a close ally, wants Blair to take the job of Middle East envoy for the quartet of peacemakers - the United States, European Union, United Nations and Russia. Downing Street has refused comment on the reports.

Greeted by Benedict, Blair explained that he had just arrived from an EU summit in Brussels.

"I heard it was very successful," Benedict said.

"Yes, we had a very long night. We finished up at 5:30 in the morning," Blair replied.

The Guardian newspaper in Britain, citing unidentified sources, reported Friday that an invitation for Blair and his wife to join the Archbishop of Westminster, Murphy-O'Connor, for lunch at the Venerable English College in Rome was a signal the Catholic church would take Blair into its fold.