When the pope met the president: Francis' meetings with Obama, Biden and Trump

WASHINGTON – Barack Obama was moved by Pope Francis’ moral perspective on world problems. Donald Trump said the pontiff made him more determined than ever to pursue peace. And Joe Biden said Francis was happy he was a good Catholic.

There was a time when the idea of a president meeting with a pope would have been unthinkable. Anti-immigrant sentiments in the 19th century focused on Catholics, with popes portrayed as manipulative leaders of a mysterious fringe religion. But times change. So do popes and presidents.

By the time Francis took over as leader of the Catholic Church in 2013, meetings between the president and the pontiff had become commonplace. During the dozen years that he served as the pontiff, Francis, who died April 21, met each of the three men who served as the U.S. president during his papacy.

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The pope's confabs with the American leaders took place at the Vatican and in Washington and included presidents from both political parties.

Obama 'extremely moved' by Francis' insights on world problems

Francis had been pope just a little over a ye...
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