Rev King gave Pope Francis "The Papers of Martin Luther King, Jr: Advocate of the Social Gospel, September 1948-1963", as she received an international prize recognizing women involved in non-violence and peace initiatives.

She is the youngest daughter of Martin Luther King Jr and Coretta Scott King and the CEO of the King Centre, seeking to prevent violence through her parents' legacy.

She tweeted to say she was 'Truly honoured & humbled".

In St Peter's Basilica on my way to private meeting with the #PopeFrancis@Pontifex. Truly honored & humbled pic.twitter.com/9LQHGz3Xb3

Be A King (@BerniceKing) 12 March 2018

According Vatican News, Gabriela Lio, a Baptist pastor said: "In the present racist and xenophobic climate, awarding Bernice King puts the spotlight on the legacy of Martin Luther King's non-violence, by recovering the courage of a faith that welcomes, encounters, and dialogues."

Bernice King told Italian press: "The words that the pope recalled of my father, those which resonate in his heart, of peace, non-violence, respect for the dignity of every human being, the centrality of what is human, is truly crucial today."

Next month will be the 50th anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr's death.

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Dr Martin Luther King Jr's daughter, Rev Bernice King, has given the pope a copy of her father's writings.