President Barack Obama Visited Vatican city . where he had an audience with His Holiness Pope Francis. This was President Obama’s first time meeting Pope Francis, and the two “had a wide discussion on central concerns of poor +inequality+peace .
President Obama is continuing his five-country trip across Europe and Saudi Arabia.
On This occasion Obama said” I think the theme that stitched our conversation together was a belief that in politics and in life, the quality of empathy, the ability to stand in somebody else’s shoes and to care for someone even if they don’t look like you or talk like you or share your philosophy — that that’s critical.
It’s the lack of empathy that makes it very easy for us to plunge into wars. It’s the lack of empathy that allows us to ignore the homeless on the streets. And obviously central to my Christian faith is a belief in treating others as I’d have them treat me. And what’s I think created so much love and excitement for His Holiness has been that he seems to live this, and shows that joy continuously”.
President met with Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin also U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and U.S. National Security Advisor Susan Rice.was also present in the meeting
Obama then traveled to the Quirinal Palace in Rome for a bilateral meeting and working lunch with Italian President Giorgio Napolitano, followed by a bilateral meeting with Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi at Villa Madama.
Taking a break from the day’s meetings, the President toured the Colosseum, the largest amphitheatre of the Roman Empire. “This is bigger than some current baseball stadiums,” he said. “I have to check on what it seats. It’s remarkable. Unbelievable.” The President wrapped up the day at the U.S. Ambassador’s residence in Rome, meeting with employees and families of the U.S.
Photo Caption
President Barack Obama talks with Pope Francis following his private audience at the Vatican, March 27, 2014.
Courtesy White House