Cordial first meeting between Francis and the President of the United States. " In the context of bilateral relations and cooperation between Church and State, there was a discussion on questions of particular relevance for the Church in that country, such as the exercise of the rights to religious freedom, life and conscientious objection, as well as the issue of immigration reform. Finally, the common commitment to the eradication of trafficking of human persons in the world was stated".

Vatican City ( AsiaNews) - Hopes that " that, in areas of conflict, there would be respect for humanitarian and international law and a negotiated solution between the parties involved" were expressed in the "cordial discussions" today between Pope Francis and the President Barack H. Obama. This was the content of a Vatican statement that read "in the context of bilateral relations and cooperation between Church and State, there was a discussion on questions of particular relevance for the Church in that country, such as the exercise of the rights to religious freedom, life and conscientious objection, as well as the issue of immigration reform. Finally, the common commitment to the eradication of trafficking of human persons in the world was stated".

Beyond the Vatican statement, the journalists present at the meeting stressed the warmth and familiarity in the encounter.  This was apparent in how Obama's hand was held by the Pope for a long time at the end of the meeting, or in the president's sentence "Pray for me and my family". They're with me on this journey and have to put up with me", the smile with which he came out of the private talks , the comment of Obama himself "His Holiness is probably the only person who has to undergo more protocol than me" and jokes at the time of the exchange of gifts.

It was the first meeting between Francis and Obama - who had already been received by Pope Benedict XVI at the Vatican on July 10, 2009 - The twelfth of a U.S. president : the first was in 1919 , Woodrow Wilson , who visited Benedict XV. Then a long pause of 40 years, and in 1959 Dwight D. Eisenhower was received by John XXIII. Since then, all U.S. presidents have been received at the Vatican.

The President of the United States arrived at the Vatican at 10.15, escorted by a motorcade of fifty cars, passing from the Arch of the Bells , to the left of the facade of the Basilica. In the San Damaso courtyard, the Swiss Guard was deployed. Obama was welcomed by Msgr. Gaenswein , prefect of the Pontifical Household. Pope Francis went to meet the President and greeted him with a "Welcome", "Welcome", to which Obama responded: "Thank you. It is wonderful to be here".

The private meeting was followed by the presentation of the presidential entourage. Obama was accompanied by the U.S. Secretary of State , John Kerry, just back from Amman, who greeted the Pope saying, "it is a pleasure to meet you , I'm a great admirer of yours, even as a Catholic".

The traditional exchange of gifts was unique and a moment of laughter. Obama brought a box of leather and wood used for the construction of the oldest cathedral in the United States, namely that Baltimore's Assumption Cathedral, containing seeds of fruits and vegetables from the White House garden and to be symbolically planted in the gardens of Castel Gandolfo. "This looks like a carrot, - said the president - each one has a seed, if you have the opportunity to come to the White House, you can see the garden". "Why not?", replied the Pope in Spanish.

Francis in turn gifted the US president a triptych of the medals of his pontificate.  As the Pope and the President approached the table where he had placed the medals the led fell and ended up on the ground. Immediately Monsignor Gaenswein picked them up and put everything in place, but again the medals to the ground. And the Pope laughed. Francis also gifted Obama his apostolic exhortation "Evangelii Gaudium" , accepted by the President with a " I will actually probably read this when I am in the Oval Office and when I am deeply frustrated," adding, "I am sure it will give me strength and calm me down". "I hope so ," replied the Pope.

After the meeting with the Pope, Obama had a meeting with Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, accompanied by Msgr . Dominique Mamberti, Secretary for Relations with States.

Obama's visit to the Vatican has come at a time when Americans appreciation of Pope Francis is very high. On the eve of the meeting, a Gallup poll showed that the Pope had an increase of more than 20 points in the index of satisfaction. Today 76% of Americans have a positive view of him, while last year, a month after the election, they were just 58% . And only 9% say they are critical.

 

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