Pope Francis has been invited to visit Bermuda by Michael Dunkley.

The invitation was extended yesterday when the Premier attended a General Audience with the pontiff at the Vatican, pointing out that Bermuda had a large Catholic population.

During his audience — arranged by Wesley Spiewak, head of the Roman Catholic Church of Bermuda — the Premier also presented the Pope with a cedar plaque carved by a Westgate prison inmate. Currently on holiday in Italy with his family, Mr Dunkley handed over the plaque, which he said was “beautifully crafted” by Dwayne Signor from the correctional facility in Dockyard.

“I explained who made it, and he seemed very touched,” the Premier, a former altar boy at St Michael’s Church in Paget, told The Royal Gazette.

Last September, the Argentinian-born Pope made headlines when he prayed for Bermuda’s citizens as his plane flew over en route to Cuba.

The Premier added: “I thanked him for his continued blessings on the people of the world, but also his blessings for Bermuda. He said, ‘And don’t forget to bless me in your prayers as well’.

“I was struck by how genuine and humble he was. He keeps the message simple, he truly cares and I think he gets a lot of enjoyment and satisfaction from what he does.”

After Mr Dunkley met the Pope in St Peter’s Square, Bishop Spiewak took them into the Basilica for a tour before the church opened to the public.

“It was a very humbling experience for myself and my family, and one I’ll never forget,” Mr Dunkley added.

Explaining his choice of gift, the Premier said that he was “well aware of the talent of many incarcerated inmates” after serving as Minister of National Security.

“Obviously the inmates have made some poor decisions, but I’ve always tried to allow them the opportunity to grow,” he said.

Mr Signor visited the Premier’s office last week to present his plaque, where Mr Dunkley told him that it “took my breath away”.

“I said that the Pope would be truly touched, and he was when he saw the artistry and the craftwork,” he added.

“I also told him that everyone makes mistakes in life, but he has a proven talent.

“He was very grateful for the opportunity and I was pleased to give it to him, because this type of experience can be life-changing.”

Mr Dunkley returns to the island on Monday.

• This article was amended to remove a line that said Pope Francis would be the first Pope to set foot in Bermuda; Pope Paul VI made a brief visit to the island in 1968.