President Obama meets Pope Francis

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Pope Francis and President Barack Obama shake hands during a private audience at the Vatican, March 27, 2014.

President Barack Obama called himself a "great admirer" of Pope Francis as he sat down at the Vatican Thursday with the pontiff he considers a kindred spirit on issues of economic inequality. Their historic first meeting comes as Obama's administration and the church remain deeply split on issues of abortion and contraception.

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President Obama arrives at the San Damaso courtyard for a meeting with Pope Francis, March 27, 2014.

This is Obama's first audience with Pope Francis and it is the second time that he has been received at the Vatican, after an audience with Pope Benedict XVI on July 10, 2009.

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President Obama arrives with prefect of the papal household Georg Gaenswein (L) prior to a private audience with the Pope, March 27, 2014.

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Pope Francis speaks with President Obama during a private audience at the Vatican, March 27, 2014.

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President Obama arrives at the San Damaso courtyard in front of a Swiss Guard for a meeting with Pope Francis in Vatican City, March 27, 2014.

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Pope Francis speaks with President Obama during a private audience at the Vatican, March 27, 2014.

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Pope Francis speaks with President Obama during a private audience at the Vatican, March 27, 2014.

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Pope Francis speaks with President Obama during a private audience at the Vatican, March 27, 2014.

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On-lookers watch as President Obama's motorcade arrives at the Vatican for meetings with Pope Francis, March 27, 2014.

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President Obama is welcomed by officials as he arrives for a private audience with Pope Francis, March 27, 2014.

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President Obama is welcomed by the prefect of the papal household, Georg Gaenswein, as he arrives for a private audience with Pope Francis, March 27, 2014.

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President Obama is welcomed by Archbishop George Gaenswein, prefect of the papal household, as he arrives at the Vatican to meet Pope Francis, March 27, 2014.

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Pope Francis and President Obama talk as they meet at the Vatican, March 27, 2014.

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A man hoists the U.S. flag prior to the arrival of President Obama at the Vatican, March 27, 2014.

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President Obama smiles as he meets Pope Francis at the Vatican, March 27, 2014.

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Pope Francis and President Obama meet at the Vatican, March 27, 2014.

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President Obama is welcomed by Papal gentlemen as he arrives at the Vatican to meet Pope Francis, March 27, 2014.

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Pope Francis is flanked by President Obama and U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry as they pose with members of the U.S. delegation at the Vatican, March 27, 2014.