The Vatican and Myanmar established full diplomatic relations today, minutes after Pope Francis met with the country's leader, Aung San Suu Kyi. <br/><br/>The surprise move means that the Vatican will have much more diplomatic influence in Myanmar, which is facing international scrutiny over atrocities against the Rohingya Muslim minority. There are about 700,000 Catholics in Myanmar out of a total population of some 51.4 million, the majority of whom are Buddhist.<br/><br/>The Vatican had previously been represented in Myanmar by an apostolic delegate to the local church who was based in Thailand. The move means the Vatican and Myanmar will each appoint a full-fledged ambassador.<br/><br/>The announcement came shortly after Pope Francis met Suu Kyi, the de facto leader of Myanmar's civilian government and also its Foreign Minister.<br/><br/>Suu Kyi assumed power in 2016 following a landslide election win after Myanmar's former military leaders initiated a political transition.