Argentine President Wants Papal Intervention in Falklands

Send in the Swiss Guards

Argentine President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner says she has asked for the Pope's intervention in the Falklands dispute between her country and the UK.

Visiting the Vatican, Mrs Kirchner said she had asked the Pope to promote dialogue between the two sides.

Argentine Pope Francis was elected last week and will be formally installed as pontiff at a Mass on Tuesday.

In the past he has said the Falkland Islands, a UK overseas territory, belong to Argentina.

"I asked for his intervention to avoid problems that could emerge from the militarization of Great Britain in the south Atlantic," Mrs Kirchner told reporters after having lunch with the Pope.