Warm hugs and hearty handshakes abounded when the US President Barack Obama met Italy’s Prime Minister Matteo Renzi.
The two men praised their countries partnership and spoke in glowing admiration of their joint efforts to solve the world’s problems.
Similar sentiments were expressed by the US President after his first meeting with Pope Francis.
“Like people around the world I’ve been incredibly moved by his compassion, his message of inclusion, I was greatful to have the opportunity to speak with him about the responsibilities that we all share to care for the least of these, the poor, the excluded.”
Obama held nearly an hour of private talks with the pope which included discussions on religious freedom, abortion and other contentious issues; subjects which Obama invited the Pope for further talks during a visit to the White House.
