President Trump and Pope Francis Discuss Joint Commitments and Collaboration

President Donald Trump visited the Vatican on Wednesday, May 24, 2017. President Trump joined the Holy Father in a 30-minute private conversation Before meeting with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state, and Archbishop Paul Gallagher, the Vatican foreign minister. According to a statement from the Vatican press office, the two leaders discussed the good bilateral relations that exist between the U.S. and the Holy See. They also spoke of their "joint commitment in favour of life, and freedom of worship and conscience." The statement expressed the hope for a "serene collaboration between the State and the Catholic Church in the United States", which is engaged in service to people "in the fields of health care, education and assistance to immigrants."

Afterwards, the president and first lady toured St. Peter's Basilica and the Sistine Chapel. Mrs. Trump also visited Rome's 'Bambin Gesù' Children's Hospital, while the president's daughter, Ivanka, was scheduled to meet with victims of trafficking together with members of Rome's Sant'Egidio lay Catholic community.