Posted on 03/27/2014 5:56:45 AM PDT by NYer
The 50 minute meeting between Pope Francis and Barack Obama has ended. The President commented on how wonderful it was to be in the Vatican again
“It is a great honour. I'm a great admirer. Thank you so much for receiving me,” the US President, Barack Obama said at the start of his meeting with Pope Francis in the Vatican Apostolic Palace. The meeting lasted just under one hour (from 10:28 to 11:20). After this, the Pope was introduced to the President’s entourage and gifts were exchanged between the two leaders. The two were then photographed as per custom and Francis gave some rosaries to members of the entourage.
The Pope welcomed Obama in the Small Throne Room, where the head of state arrived accompanied by the Prefect of the Papal Household, Mgr. Georg Ganswein. “Wonderful meeting you,” Obama said, meeting the Pope, who responded by thanking him.
Obama, accompanied by the US Secretary of State, John Kerry, was taken through to the second loggia of the Apostolic Palace by the Prefect of the Papal Household.
“It’s wonderful being here again,” the President said, greeting one of the Papal Gentlemen upon his arrival in the Vatican, where he met with Benedict XVI back in 2009.
In reference to the Pope’s Apostolic Exhortation “Evangeliii Gaudium”, President Obama said he would probably read it in the Oval Office when he gets really frustrated. He added he was sure it would give him strength and calm . “I hope so,” Francis replied.
President Obama gave Francis a packet of vegetable seeds from the White House garden to be planted in the Pontifical Villa gardens in Castel Gandolfo which were recently opened to the public. "If you have a chance to come to the White House, we can show you our garden,” the President said. “Of course!” the Pope replied.
Before taking his leave, Obama gave Francis a long and firm handshake and the two continued speaking for a while longer with the help of an interpreter.
After his audience with the Pope, the President went down to the first loggia to meet the Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin.
:-)
“President Obama gave Francis a packet of vegetable seeds....”
.
Only bluebonnet seeds would have been appropriate.
They would have looked beautiful around the banks of that lake near Castel Gandolfo.
bammy give him the CDs as a present?
he can recite the koran with a perfect arabic accent however.
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