Pope Benedict plans to meet the Dalai Lama in a Vatican audience in December, Italian news agencies have reported.Such a meeting between the Tibetan spiritual leader and the Roman Catholic pontiff would likely add a chill to the Vatican's difficult relations with China.
The Dalai Lama's recent meetings with Prime Minister Stephen Harper, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and U.S. President George W. Bush have drawn rebukes from Beijing.
The news agencies, quoting unidentified Vatican sources, said the Vatican meeting is planned for Dec. 13.
The Vatican had no comment.
Pope Benedict met with the Dalai Lama a year ago, but the Vatican insisted it was a "private" visit and provided no details.
The Dalai Lama insists he seeks only autonomy for Tibet, which China has occupied since 1951.
Beijing accuses him of seeking to split the region from China.
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