MANILA - Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle paid a courtesy visit on Monday to President Rodrigo Duterte.

In a photo released by Malacañang, the President was seen holding the hands of the the cardinal for the traditional "mano."

The president received the archbishop at the Study Room of Malacañang.

Also present in the meeting are Davao Archbishop Romulo Valles and Special Assistant to the President Christopher "Bong" Go.

Details of the meeting are not yet divulged by the Palace.

Previously, Duterte also received Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal for a courtesy visit.

The retired cardinal described the president as "simpleng tao, madaling kausapin, hindi ka matatakot."

Since the campaign period and the days leading to the presidential inauguration, the relationship between the camp of Duterte and the Catholic Church has been tense due to disagreements on certain policies and issues like the capital punishment and artificial birth control.

Duterte also openly criticized the Catholic Church as the most hypocritical institution.