A Sudanese woman who escaped a death sentence for refusing to renounce her faith arrived in an airport in Rome on Thursday.

Meriam Yahya Ibrahim, 27, accompanied by her husband and two children, was welcomed by Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi as she disembarked from a plane provided by the Italian government at Rome's Ciampino airport.

Like Us on Facebook

Italian Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs Lapo Pistelli, who was with Ibrahim during the flight, told media that Ibrahim would be very busy during her stay in Italy as she is likely to have some "important meetings."

Pistelli said the government maintained constant dialogue with Sudan, referring to Ibrahim's arrest and sentencing, but did not say whether they played a role in Ibrahim's exit.

Hours later, the family was escorted to the Vatican where they met with Pope Francis. The Pope expressed gratitude at Ibrahim's unwavering show of faith, said Father Federico Lombardi, a spokesman for the Vatican.

Lombardi said the Vatican hoped the meeting would serve as a sign of solidarity to those who suffer because of their faith.

Ibrahim was freed last month but was re-arrested 24 hours later at the airport, when she and her family were on their way to the United States. Since then, the family has been staying at the U.S. embassy in Khartoum, Reuters reported.

According to an unnamed top Sudanese official, the government was aware of Ibrahim's trip to Italy and that it had already been reviewed and approved in advance.

The family will spend a few days in Italy before they are expected to leave for the United States, said Pistelli.

In May, the 27-year-old was sentenced to hang for refusing to recant her Christian faith.

She was also accused of adultery for marrying Christian and U.S. citizen, Daniel Wani. The court said the union was not valid since Islamic law does not recognize Christian marriages. She was sentenced to 100 lashings.

Last week, Ibrahim's relatives filed a suit to annul her marriage to Wani in an attempt to prevent her from leaving Sudan. The case was dropped a few days later.

TagsPope Francis, Lapo Pistelli, Matteo Renzi, Rome, Vatican, Meriam ibrahim