When Angelina Jolie met the Pope

Pope Francis honoured by meeting with Unbroken director and UN Goodwill Ambassador Angelina Jolie

Jolie greets the pontiff on her official visit (Rex Features)

Oscar-winning actress Angelina Jolie made a flying visit to the Vatican with her daughters Shiloh and Zahara in tow in order to discuss her work for the UNHCR.

Jolie, who has been a strong advocate for women's rights and the end of rape as a weapon of war in her role with the UN, enjoyed a VIP meet-and-greet with Pope Francis this afternoon.

Jolie's role as Special Envoy for the UNHCR means she'll be meeting Pope Francis in a diplomatic capacity, but the specifics of what they discussed haven't been disclosed.

Angelina Jolie and William Hague at the Global Summit to End Sexual Violence in Conflict, in London (Getty Images)

Last year, she co-chaired the End Sexual Violence in Conflict summit with then-Foreign Secretary William Hague to great acclaim.

On Wednesday, Jolie was seen shopping for toys with her daughters in central Rome. Brad Pitt was due to join his wife and children, but a "last-minute change" meant he had to give the event a miss, according to US Weekly.

Pope Francis will be meeting with Jolie imminently (AFP/Getty)

Pope Francis, whose modern Catholic message has won fans including Elton John, has been busy recently, electing new 15 cardinals from around the world, flying in the face of the Vatican's tradition of selecting European candidates.