Pope Francis urged Donald Trump to use his US presidency to promote peace around the world as the two leaders swapped sparring for smiles in their first face-to-face meeting at the Vatican on Wednesday.
Pope Francis urged Donald Trump to use his US presidency to promote peace around the world as the two leaders swapped sparring for smiles in their first face-to-face meeting at the Vatican on Wednesday.
Trump's audience with the 80-year-old pontiff, a keenly-anticipated highlight of his first overseas tour, lasted just under half an hour and concluded with both men beaming, for the cameras at least.
"He is something," the president later said of his host. "We had a fantastic meeting."
The Vatican described the discussions as "cordial" and stressed the two men's joint opposition to abortion and shared concern for persecuted Christians in the Middle East. There was no mention from either side of the two men's profound differences on climate change, migration, the death penalty and other issues.
Trump told his host as he left: "Thank you. Thank you. I won't forget what you said."
The pope had presented Trump with a medallion engraved with an olive tree, the international symbol of peace.
"I give it to you so you can be an instrument of peace," he said in Spanish. "We can use peace," Trump replied.
In a lighter moment, Francis referred to Trump's imposing bulk by asking his wife Melania, "What do you feed him on? Potica?" - a reference to a calorie-laden cake from Slovenia, Melania's country of birth.
Trump presented the pope with several gifts, including a collection of first editions by Martin Luther King and a bronze sculpture.
Francis gave Trump copies of the three major texts he has published as pope, including one on the environment which urges the industrialised world to curb carbon emissions or risk catastrophic consequences for the planet.
Trump, who has threatened to ignore the Paris accords on emissions and described global warming as a hoax, vowed to read them.
In the last year, the two men have swapped jibes and debated on subjects ranging from migration to unbridled capitalism, as well as the environment.
(With agency inputs)
1. U.S. President Donald Trump and first lady Melania
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U.S. President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump pass a Swiss Guard as they arrive at the Vatican, May 24, 2017.
Image courtesy: Reuters
2. Private audience with the Pope
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U.S. President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump arrive to meet Pope Francis at the Vatican, May 24, 2017.
Image courtesy: Reuters
3. Pope Francis with POTUS and FLOTUS
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Pope Francis speaks with US President Donald Trump and US First Lady Melania Trump during a private audience at the Vatican on May 24, 2017. US President Donald Trump met Pope Francis at the Vatican today in a keenly-anticipated first face-to-face encounter between two world leaders who have clashed repeatedly on several issues.
Image courtesy: AFP
4. Pope Francis with the Trump family
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Pope Francis poses with U.S. President Donald Trump his wife Melania, Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump during a private audience at the Vatican, May 24, 2017.
Image courtesy: Reuters
5. St.Peter's Basilica
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U.S. President Donald Trump and his wife Melania pictured during their visit in St.Peter's Basilica after a private audience with Pope Francis at the Vatican, May 24, 2017.
Image courtesy: Reuters
6. Holding hands, finally!
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U.S. President Donald Trump and his wife Melania pictured during their visit in St.Peter's Basilica after a private audience with Pope Francis at the Vatican, May 24, 2017.
Image courtesy: Reuters
