National Catholic Reporter on Vatican visit

[MBS]

http://ncronline.org/news/vatican/francis-and-obama-meet-smiles-topics-discussed-remain-unknown
Three more photos, and full text, at the link.

Excerpt:

The pope and president then sat down together for a private meeting without press, lasting from 10:27 a.m. until 11:19 a.m. Afterward, the two exchanged gifts.Obama gave Francis a custom-made seed chest featuring fruit and vegetable seeds used in the White House garden. Administration officials said the gift was chosen partially because Francis decided earlier this month to open the gardens of the pope's typical summer residence, Castel Gandolfo, to the public.The chest holding the seeds was made of American leather and reclaimed wood from Baltimore's Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, one of the first religious buildings constructed in the United States.The basilica finished a restoration project in 2006. The Baltimore diocese was the first erected in the U.S.

"If you have a chance to come to the White House, we can show you our garden as well," the president told the pope while presenting his gift. Francis may visit the United States in fall 2015 for the World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia. The pope replied to Obama in Spanish with "Cómo no?", "Why not?"

In return, the pope gifted the president two medallions, one of which symbolized solidarity and peace between the northern and southern hemispheres. Francis also gave Obama a copy of his apostolic exhortation, Evangelii Gaudium ("The Joy of the Gospel&quot .
"I actually will probably read this in the Oval Office when I'm deeply frustrated. I'm sure it will give me strength and calm me down," the president said, smiling as he received the gift.The pope smiled in response after hearing the translation of that remark.
. ..
Obama then asked the pope to pray for his family, saying they wanted to be with him at the Vatican."They've been very strong," Obama said. "Pray for them. I would appreciate it."Replied the pope, according to several reports: "I will."Obama was joined in his visit Thursday by Secretary of State John Kerry, a Catholic, and Ken Hackett, the U.S. ambassador to the Holy See.

[mcar]

1. I love the gift

The seed chest - so thoughtful.

[freshwest]

2. I think so too, very appropriate. I just wish they'd tell us what they talked about... n/t