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Obama meets Pope Francis during Rome visit Pope Francis raises 'right to life' in Obama talks
(about 5 hours later)
US President Barack Obama says it was a "great honour" to meet Pope Francis for the first time during a European tour dominated by the crisis in Ukraine. Pope Francis has met President Barack Obama in Rome for the first time, with the contentious issues of abortion and contraception on the agenda.
He flew into Rome after three days of talks with world leaders in the Netherlands and Brussels. The Vatican said the talks touched on "the rights to religious freedom, life and conscientious objection".
Tensions are high following Russia's annexation of Crimea from Ukraine. The Church backs doctors who refuse to perform abortions and is concerned at contraception in US healthcare laws.
On Wednesday Mr Obama said the US and the EU were considering deeper sanctions against Moscow if there were any further incursions. Mr Obama, who has praised the Pope's compassion, told him it was a "great honour" to meet him.
Pro-Russian forces seized Crimea - which has a Russian-speaking majority - this month. The US president had flown to Rome after three days of talks with world leaders in the Netherlands and Brussels.
Moscow annexed the peninsula after it declared independence following a referendum that Ukraine and its Western allies consider illegal. Human trafficking
In other Ukraine developments: The Vatican gave few specifics about the nature of the "cordial" one-hour audience.
'Brute force' But in a statement it said: "In the context of bilateral relations and co-operation between Church and state, there was a discussion on questions of particular relevance for the Church in that country, such as the exercise of the rights to religious freedom, life and conscientious objection."
The BBC's Alan Johnston in Rome says the Pope strongly opposes Mr Obama's liberal views on abortion, contraception and gay marriage.
For example, contraception coverage is mandated under Mr Obama's healthcare laws.
Our correspondent says it had been expected that efforts to combat global poverty might feature prominently in the talks. But the Vatican's official statement made no mention of this.
It did refer to two areas of accord - reforming US immigration laws and tackling human trafficking.
The Vatican said that "the common commitment to the eradication of trafficking of human persons in the world was stated".
Mr Obama later said the pair did discuss responsibility to care for the poor.
The US president's motorcade had delivered him to a courtyard in the heart of the Vatican and he met the Pope in the papal palace.
There was more traditional Vatican formality than the Pope has observed during much of his papacy so far.
Our correspondent says there were smiles and an easy opening exchange.
"It is a great honour. I'm a great admirer," the president said. "Thank you so much for receiving me."
Mr Obama presented Pope Francis with a variety of fruit and vegetable seeds used in the White House garden.
The Pope replied "for sure" in Spanish when invited to visit the garden.
He gave Mr Obama two medals and a leather-bound copy of Evangeli Gaudium (The Joy of the Gospels), Francis's self-written guide to his papacy.
"I actually will probably read this when I'm in the Oval Office, when I am deeply frustrated and I am sure it will give me strength," Mr Obama said.
In a newspaper interview published before their meeting, Mr Obama described the Pope as a man who "lived the Christian Gospel".In a newspaper interview published before their meeting, Mr Obama described the Pope as a man who "lived the Christian Gospel".
US Deputy National Security Adviser Ben Rhodes said President Obama has been inspired by Pope Francis' messages of inclusion and equality. After meeting the Pope, Mr Obama headed to meetings with Italian President Giorgio Napolitano and Prime Minister Matteo Renzi.
He said Mr Obama planned to express his appreciation for his leadership.
The BBC's Alan Johnston in Rome says the two men have very different views on subjects such as abortion, contraception and gay marriage, but at this meeting they are likely to emphasise what they share.
After meeting the Pope, Mr Obama is due to meet both Italian President Giorgio Napolitano and Prime Minister Matteo Renzi.
President Obama is accompanied in Italy by US Secretary of State John Kerry.President Obama is accompanied in Italy by US Secretary of State John Kerry.
On Wednesday, Mr Obama held talks with EU leaders in Brussels. Washington and the EU have already imposed targeted sanctions against Russian and Ukrainian individuals over the annexation of Crimea.
Later he said Russians would "recognise that they cannot achieve security, prosperity and status... through brute force".
"That's why, throughout this crisis, we will combine our substantial pressure on Russia with an open door for diplomacy," President Obama said.
Pro-Russian forces began seizing key sites in Crimea days after Ukraine's Moscow-leaning President Viktor Yanukovych was ousted.
He left power following months of bloody protests over his decision to seek greater ties with Moscow rather than the EU.
President Obama flew to Brussels following a nuclear security summit in the Netherlands.