Apple's CEO met with Pope Francis in the Vatican on January 22, Friday one week after the head of the Roman Catholic Church met with former Google CEO and current Alphabet Executive Chairman Eric Schmidt.  The brief meeting between Tim Cook and the pontiff was included on the latter's daily schedule and could have been related to the battle between the makers of Android and iOS devices.

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Business Insider first spotted the get-together between Apple's Chief Executive and the Bishop of Rome. It was scheduled from 11:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.

The pope  visited the United States last September. However, he did not visit Silicon Valley tech companies so many theories about the purpose of Cook's recent visit has resulted in various theories.  

Pope Francis is reportedly an iPad user, according to The Verge. The talk might have been related to Apple's and Google's operating systems.

Cook and Schmidt could have met Pope Francis about a business deal between the Vatican and Silicon Valley. The pope has a tech-friendly image, according to CNN.

There are other issues the two men might have chatted about. The Verge suggests topics of discussions  could have included the function of corporations in modern society, or environmental issues.    

Pope Francis became the pontiff after Pope Benedict retired in 2013. Since then he has used a Twitter account to share bits of his preaching, and Google Hangouts to chat with children throughout the world.  

The pope has referred to the Internet as a "gift from God." He has also promoted using technology as an educational tool for disabled people.

The pontiff often makes tweets from his Twitter accounts. He comments about various topics including global news events.

Pope Francis prefers to use an Apple iPad when he tweets. Last year one of his used tablet computers sold at a charity auction for $30,500.  

Cook's trip to the Vatican follows Apple's recent settling of a tax fraud case in Italy. The tech giant paid $348 million in back taxes.                     

Apple's Italian subsidiary and many senior executives were investigated for tax fraud from 2008 to 2013. Tax authorities closed the case after Apple agreed to pay about one-third of unpaid taxes.