UPDATE - US president meets Pope Francis at Vatican

UPDATES WITH STATEMENT FROM VATICAN

By Baris Seckin

VATICAN (AA) – U.S. President Donald Trump met Pope Francis at the Vatican on Wednesday after overseas trips to Saudi Arabia and Jerusalem.

Trump was accompanied by his wife Melania, daughter Ivanka and son-in-law Jared Kushner as well as U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson.

Wednesday's meeting was highly anticipated as the two leaders have expressed starkly differing viewpoints in the past, particularly on migration and climate change.

Trump and Pope Francis shook hands, the former saying it was “a very great honor”. They held a 30-minute private meeting at the Apostolic Palace.

The Vatican has described the meeting as “cordial”.

“During the cordial discussions, satisfaction was expressed for the good existing bilateral relations between the Holy See and the United States of America, as well as the joint commitment in favor of life, and freedom of worship and conscience,” a Vatican statement read.

The two exchanged views on the Middle East and the protection of Christian minorities, the Vatican added.

“It is hoped that there may be serene collaboration between the State and the Catholic Church in the United States, engaged in service to the people in the fields of healthcare, education and assistance to immigrants,” the statement added.

After the meeting, Trump gave Pope Francis writings by U.S. civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. The pontiff presented Trump with an olive tree medal which he said symbolized peace. Trump then proceeded to visit the Sistine Chapel with his wife.

The U.S. president also met his Italian counterpart Sergio Mattarella at the presidential palace and is expected to meet Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni later.

Trump will attend a NATO summit in Brussels on Thursday.