In pictures: Barack Obama meets Pope Francis
- Published
Contrasting approaches to security were on display, as the US president arrived in his black armour-plated car, flanked by colourful Swiss Guards carrying polearms.
Barack Obama passes members of the Swiss Guard as he arrives at the Vatican.
Wind blows the mantle of Archbishop George Gaenswein, prefect of the papal household and former personal secretary of Pope Benedict XVI, as he waits for the president's arrival.
President Obama, who called himself a "great admirer" of Pope Francis, seemed happy to spend time in the glow of a popular leader.
The US president exchanges gifts with the Pope, who he considers a kindred spirit on issues of economic inequality. The president's gift was a chest of seeds from the White House garden, which the Pope reciprocated with bronze medallions.
The meeting at the Vatican likely comes as a welcome rest-stop for President Obama during a six-day European tour dominated by the crisis over Crimea.
But despite their agreements on social justice, the two men remain deeply divided on abortion, gay rights and contraception
Archbishop Georg Ganswein (left), also escorted the president out of the Vatican
The private meeting happened at the Apostolic palace, from which the US flag was hung
It is not the first time the current US president has met the head of the Roman Catholic church - he had an audience with the previous incumbent, Pope Benedict XVI in 2009
It was all smiles too with the new Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi, who he met after seeing the Pope
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