VATICAN CITY—U.S. President Donald Trump and Pope Francis, two leaders with contrasting styles and differing world views, met at the Vatican on Wednesday, setting aside their previous clashes to broadcast a tone of peace for an audience around the globe.Trump, midway through a gruelling nine-day, maiden international journey, called upon the pontiff in a private, 30-minute meeting laden with religious symbolism and ancient protocol. The president, accompanied by his wife and several aides, arrived at the Vatican just after 8 a.m. local time.Upon completing their meeting, the pope gave the president a medal featuring an olive branch, a symbol of peace, among other gifts.Read the latest news on U.S. President Donald Trump“We can use peace,” the president responded.The visit began with a handshake after each man arrived, Trump in a lengthy motorcade, Francis in a Ford Focus. The president was heard thanking the pope and saying it was “a great honour” to be there. They posed for photographs and then sat down at the papal desk, the pope unsmiling, as their private meeting began.It ended a half-hour later when Francis rang the bell in his private study. The pontiff was then introduced to members of Trump’s delegation, including his wife Melania, his daughter Ivanka and son-in-law Jared Kushner, as well as aides Hope Hicks and Dan Scavino.Smiling for the staff, Francis had a light moment with the first lady, asking via translator, “What do you give him to eat, potica?” referring to a favourite papal dessert from her native Slovenia.The first lady laughed and said “Yes.” She and Ivanka covered their heads in a sign of papal respect, a gesture they did not partake in Saudi Arabia.As is tradition, the pope and president exchanged gifts. Trump presented the pontiff with a custom-bound, first-edition set of Martin Luther King Jr.’s works, an engraved stone from the King memorial in Washington and a ...
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