Jul 10th, 2009 | VATICAN CITY -- President Barack Obama has ended his first meeting with Pope Benedict XVI at the Vatican.
Obama and Benedict met for about 25 minutes Friday in the Papal Library. The pope was overheard asking about the just-ended Group of Eight summit in Italy. Reporters were then escorted from the room.
First lady Michelle Obama joined the president near the end of the meeting with the pope.
Obama and the pope exchanged gifts. Then the president headed for a flight to Ghana, the final stop on his weeklong trip.
THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.
VATICAN CITY (AP) -- President Barack Obama is meeting with Pope Benedict XVI at the Vatican.
Shaking hands with the pope, Obama said it was "a great honor" to meet him.
They then sat at the pontiff's desk and exchanged pleasantries before reporters and photographers were ushered out of the ornate room.
Obama met first with Cardinal Tarciso Bertone, the Vatican's secretary of state.
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