Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
US PRESIDENT DONALD Trump has met Pope Francis at the Vatican in a keenly-anticipated first face-to-face encounter.
The two world leaders have clashed repeatedly on several issues in the past.
The private audience with the pontiff was preceded by a handshake for the cameras and was expected to last around 20 minutes.
It came on the third leg of Trump’s first overseas trip as president, which has already taken him to Saudi Arabia and to Israel and the Palestinian territories.
The two men have never met before this morning, but they have significant history having clashed publicly over subjects ranging from migration to unbridled capitalism and climate change.
They also disagree on issues like the death penalty and the arms trade but share a fervent opposition to abortion.
Trump was accompanied for the audience by his wife Melania and daughter Ivanka, both dressed all in black, in keeping with traditional protocol that is no longer always observed by all female dignitaries visiting the Vatican.
The audience took place in the private library of the Apostolic Palace, the official papal residence that Francis does not use, having opted instead for modest lodgings in a Vatican guesthouse.
Immediately after the meeting, the 80-year-old pope was due to give his usual midweek address to the faithful on St Peter’s square while the Trump couple are given a private tour of the Sistine Chapel and St Peter’s Basilica.
Later in the morning, Trump, 70, will call on Italy’s president and prime minister while Melania visits a children’s hospital and Ivanka discusses migrant issues with members of the St Egidio religious community.
The Trump team is due to fly to Brussels on Wednesday afternoon for meetings with EU and NATO officials before returning to Italy late Thursday for the G7 summit in Sicily on Friday and Saturday.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
The two of them share the same ultimate dream – to get the opportunity to meet Bono one day.
@Tweed Cap: that would be “a beautiful day”
@Tweed Cap: Oh to be a FLY on the wall during those meetings
Francis would want to mind the white dress around him. Tan marks, nightmare.
Popes face says it all.
Did Trump do his “handshake takedown”
@ianglen: He dropped his trousers to show the Pope he has not got small hands lol.
I take it the liberal/secularists will be throwing their weight behind The Donald on this one eh?
Hahaha.
@Jack Cassady:
I’m an atheist, but I’d still throw my weight behind this pope ahead of the Drumpf any day…..
@Avina Laaf:
Agreed, no contest.
Donald may be the leader of the free world but Francis is the leader of the universe.
@Jack Cassady:
I disagree on both counts, but I’d still take Frankie ahead of Don….
@Avina Laaf:
Environmentalists will certainly side with Francis.
@Jack Cassady: As opposed to the God fearing Trump supporters?
@Jack Cassady: Maybe your universe,darling.What,is he Zeus or something now ?
@Jack Cassady: Neanderthals with the Donald.
Why the head gear on the women??
@Rob Cahill: Its protocol.
@Rob Cahill: Look like they are attending a funeral….the death of rational common sense.
@Rob Cahill: Go and protest at Vatican embassy !!
@Nointerest Here: Apparently it’s no longer mandatory – and Francis prefers to do away with such pomp.. Merkel didn’t wear one. Interesting that both women chose to cover their heads when meeting the pope, but not in Saudi Arabia.
@cortisola: apparently it is unoccupied presently.. Ships………..abandonment etc etc etc….
A miracle might happen. God gives him a brain
@Paul O Riordan: A brain goes into a skull and not an arse?
Everyone in the first photo is frowning/serious, except Donald. Did he just fart?
“They also disagree on issues like the death penalty and the arms trade but share a fervent opposition to abortion.”
Donnie is as “pro life” as Alveda King is..LOL
Isn’t Melenia jumping the gun with her outfit?
@Niall Mac Giolla Phádraig: And yet she thinks it is her right to bare arms at the same time lol.
Was it someone’s funeral?
@David Lawrence: The Earth’s I think?
Bizarre how the fundamentalist right in the US, don’t seem to mind the Pope.
@Old Gordon: Some weirdos call him the AntiChrist, only proving how stupid they are?
Report says two of them enjoyed a cordial..the pus on the pope seems to indicate he is sucking on a lemon as opposed to a fresh fruit drink…….bit of history there l think with Citibank and the Macri family in Argentina….annie details on the above would be treated with Jesuitic secrecy….
Trump is appropriately dressed,whereas yer man beside him is wearing a dress.
The pope looks singularly unimpressed with having to go through with this charade. Protocol suddenly became important to the trump tribe so they don’t upset the fundamentalist christian right who support them. The real first lady’s orthodox jewish husband would not be impressed either (thought she had to convert when they were married ??? ) What a farce !!!
a pair of chancers shake hands.
Did Jared die?
have your say