The pontiff is from Argentina. He received the sign from Gustavo Hoyo, leader of a campaign for dialogue on the islands, during a papal audience.
A senior Vatican official told the BBC that Pope Francis “did not know and did not realise what was written on it”.
In 1982 UK forces defeated Argentine troops, who had invaded the Falklands.
The war left Argentina and the UK still disputing the islands’ sovereignty – but a UN resolution has called for dialogue to reach a settlement.
The sign held by the Pope on Wednesday said: “It’s time for dialogue between Argentina and the United Kingdom over the Falkland Islands.” *
*(Malvinas)
Romano Pisciotti, surfing web