Starstruck Trump, Pope enjoy face-to-face chat
DONALD Trump vowed yesterday to use his US presidency to promote peace around the world after what he depicted as an inspirational meeting with Pope Francis.
Meeting face to face for the first time, the two leaders sidestepped profound differences over a string of issues, ranging from the environment to the plight of migrants and the poor.
The US president emerged from a half-hour meeting at the Vatican gushing with enthusiasm about the 80-year-old pontiff, to the point of the former TV star appearing slightly starstruck.
“Honour of a lifetime to meet His Holiness Pope Francis,” Trump wrote on Twitter, before leaving Rome for Brussels and the next leg of his first overseas trip as president.
“I leave the Vatican more determined than ever to pursue peace in our world.”
The declaration of intent followed a keenly anticipated encounter between the billionaire businessman and the former Jesuit priest, who has made championing the poor and the third world major themes of his papacy.
In their world view and tastes, the Argentine pontiff, who eschews the use of the palaces at his disposal, and the luxury hotel tycoon appear worlds apart.
But if there was any friction when they finally met, it occurred behind closed doors. In front of the cameras, both men were mostly all smiles. “He is something,” Trump said of his host. “We had a fantastic meeting.”
The Vatican described the discussions as cordial and emphasised the two men’s joint opposition to abortion and shared concern for persecuted Christians in the Middle East.
The pope had presented Trump with a medallion engraved with an olive tree, the international symbol of peace.
“I give it to you so you can be an instrument of peace,” he said in Spanish. “We can use peace,” Trump replied.
Trump’s gifts included a collection of first editions by Martin Luther King and a bronze sculpture.
Francis gave Trump copies of the three major texts he has published as pope, including one on the environment which urges the industrialised world to curb carbon emissions or risk catastrophic consequences for the planet.
Trump, who has threatened to ignore the Paris accords on emissions and described global warming as a hoax, vowed to read them.
Trump’s administration has pleased the church by axing rules protecting tax-funded financing of family planning clinics that offer abortions.
Accompanied by his wife, Melania, and daughter, Ivanka, Trump met Francis in the private library of the Apostolic Palace.
Afterwards, the first couple were given a private tour of the Sistine Chapel and St Peter’s Basilica.
Later, Trump met Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni, while his wife visited a children’s hospital and his daughter met women trafficked from Africa for the sex trade.
I leave more determined than ever to pursue peace in our world