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The Latest: Trump’s Meeting With Pope Prompts Lockdown in Rome The Latest: Trump’s Meeting With the Pope at the Vatican
(about 2 hours later)
■ Pope Francis welcomed President Trump to the Vatican on Wednesday for the first face-to-face meeting of the two leaders, who have vastly contrasting visions.■ Pope Francis welcomed President Trump to the Vatican on Wednesday for the first face-to-face meeting of the two leaders, who have vastly contrasting visions.
■ For Mr. Trump, the audience in the Vatican caps a tour of the ancestral homes of three of the world’s great monotheistic religions.■ For Mr. Trump, the audience in the Vatican caps a tour of the ancestral homes of three of the world’s great monotheistic religions.
■ For Francis, it was a chance to welcome a second American leader, after President Barack Obama paid his respects in 2014.■ For Francis, it was a chance to welcome a second American leader, after President Barack Obama paid his respects in 2014.
■ Mr. Trump, in brief remarks, said that his meeting with the pope was “fantastic,” and that it was “an honor” to spend time with him. “He is something,” Mr. Trump said.
■ A Vatican statement said the talks had included a discussion of health care, education and assistance for immigrants, as well as “the promotion of peace in the world through political negotiation and interreligious dialogue.”
Security was tight in Rome for Mr. Trump’s visit and for his morning audience with Pope Francis.Security was tight in Rome for Mr. Trump’s visit and for his morning audience with Pope Francis.
The city center of Rome has been under intense surveillance, with additional cameras installed and hundreds of police officers sent to patrol roads that Mr. Trump’s motorcade might use.The city center of Rome has been under intense surveillance, with additional cameras installed and hundreds of police officers sent to patrol roads that Mr. Trump’s motorcade might use.
Streets were cordoned off and city buses were diverted around the American ambassador’s residence, in an affluent northern neighborhood of Rome, where Mr. Trump spent the night.Streets were cordoned off and city buses were diverted around the American ambassador’s residence, in an affluent northern neighborhood of Rome, where Mr. Trump spent the night.
Around Vatican City and the Quirinal Hill, where Mr. Trump is scheduled to meet President Sergio Mattarella of Italy just before lunch, access was also limited to the presidential motorcade.Around Vatican City and the Quirinal Hill, where Mr. Trump is scheduled to meet President Sergio Mattarella of Italy just before lunch, access was also limited to the presidential motorcade.
Italy increased its security alert level soon after the Paris attacks of 2015, but tensions were relatively high. On Tuesday morning, a bomb disposal team rushed to Via della Conciliazione, the avenue leading to St. Peter’s Square, to check a dark bag that had been left near a flowerpot. It turned out to contain clothes and a map.Italy increased its security alert level soon after the Paris attacks of 2015, but tensions were relatively high. On Tuesday morning, a bomb disposal team rushed to Via della Conciliazione, the avenue leading to St. Peter’s Square, to check a dark bag that had been left near a flowerpot. It turned out to contain clothes and a map.
Past presidential visits to Rome have prompted demonstrations and even riots, but Mr. Trump’s presence met only muted opposition. For all of the attention on the major differences between Pope Francis and President Trump when it comes to immigration, climate change and arms deals, they are on the same page when it comes to issues including abortion.
The sole protest of note took place Tuesday evening in a Roman piazza that one of the organizers, Tanya Halkyard, an American living in Rome, described as “not iconic but accessible.” The Vatican statement after the much-anticipated meeting between the pope and the president on Wednesday highlighted “the joint commitment in favor of life, and freedom of worship and conscience,” a view that some powerful conservative players in Rome had highlighted in the weeks before the meeting.
It was also the only venue that the city’s security officials allowed them to use, she said, as already tight security measures across Rome were tightened further for Mr. Trump’s stay. Cardinal Gerhard Ludwig Müller, who leads the Roman Catholic Church’s doctrinal office, said in a recent interview: “I’m now content that religious liberty in the United States is better and that they stopped the programs of Planned Parenthood for abortion. That is a good thing, a good progress.”
Ms. Halkyard is the local leader of American Expats for Positive Change, which was founded “right after the election” as a channel to give a voice to Americans overseas who could not attend town hall-style meetings in the United States or visit Washington. “It’s important to make some noise and show there is a global resistance, and that his opponents are everywhere,” she said. Asked whether he trusted Mr. Trump, he said, “I am very content.”
There were about as many police officers and members of the news media as there were demonstrators at the “Rome Resists — Trump Protest” on Tuesday, but the protesters made themselves heard. They chanted “No warfare, more health care” and “Social rights are human rights,” occasionally switching to songs, including “America the Beautiful” and the civil rights anthem “We Shall Overcome.” — Jason Horowitz
“I grew up with these songs,” said Chiara Midolo, one of few Italians at the rally, who described herself as Americanista, or pro-American. “I’m very sad about what’s happening after eight years that were years of hope for us.” Upon meeting for the first time face to face, the pope showed the president into his studio, where the two posed for a photograph. “Protocol,” Francis murmured with a dour look. Mr. Trump beamed.
— Elisabetta Povoledo The president took a seat across from Francis at the pope’s desk.
“Welcome,” Francis said in English.
“This is such a great honor,” Mr. Trump replied.
Vatican officials then ushered the news media out of the room and the two met in private for half an hour.
A bell signaling the end of the private audience rang at 9 a.m., and Melania Trump joined them in the studio moments later. The president smiled hard next to the pope; the pontiff seemed to lighten up when he shook Mrs. Trump’s hand.
The pope jokingly asked the Slovenian-born Mrs. Trump, “Did you give him potica to eat?” referring to a Slovenian pastry.
Mr. Trump then introduced the rest of his family and delegation, and he and the pope moved across the room to exchange gifts.
“This is a gift for you — these are books from Martin Luther King,” Mr. Trump said. “I think you will enjoy them.”
The pope then presented his gift.
“This is a medallion by a Roman artist: It is an olive tree, which is a symbol of peace,” the pope said. He explained it had “two branches, and a division of war in the middle.”
“We can use peace,” Mr. Trump responded.
The pope looked into the president’s eyes.
“It is with all hope that you may become an olive tree to make peace,” the pope said.
He also gave the president his three papal exhortations — communications from the pope to the church — and explained the topics.
“The family, the Joy of the Gospel and on the care of our common home the environment,” Francis said.
“Well, I’ll be reading them,” Mr. Trump said.
After a few more minutes of ceremony, the pope bid the president farewell. Mr. Trump shook he hand. “I won’t forget,” he said. “I won’t forget what you said.”
— Jason Horowitz
As soon as Melania Trump set foot on Italian soil on Tuesday, she began to make news. Stefano Gabbana, half of the Dolce & Gabbana brand, spared no time in noting on Instagram that the first lady had stepped off Air Force One wearing one of the label’s designs. “THANK YOU,” he wrote.As soon as Melania Trump set foot on Italian soil on Tuesday, she began to make news. Stefano Gabbana, half of the Dolce & Gabbana brand, spared no time in noting on Instagram that the first lady had stepped off Air Force One wearing one of the label’s designs. “THANK YOU,” he wrote.
Only Roman Catholic queens and princesses are allowed to wear white during a private papal audience, so Mrs. Trump chose a black lace dress and veil over her hair — no word yet on the designer. She also held a rosary, which she asked the pope to bless. He complied.Only Roman Catholic queens and princesses are allowed to wear white during a private papal audience, so Mrs. Trump chose a black lace dress and veil over her hair — no word yet on the designer. She also held a rosary, which she asked the pope to bless. He complied.
After the president and his entourage met with Francis, Mrs. Trump was whisked off for a private tour of the Pauline Chapel, which has frescoes by Michelangelo, and of the Sala Regia, where popes held court for centuries. Both halls are normally off limits to the general public. After the president and his entourage met with Francis, Mrs. Trump was whisked off for a private tour of the Pauline Chapel, which has frescoes by Michelangelo, and of the Sala Regia, where popes held court for centuries. Both halls are normally off limits to the public.
Mrs. Trump then joined the president for a quick peek at the Sistine Chapel before visiting St. Peter’s Basilica, which was closed to tourists until the visit was over. Mrs. Trump then joined the president for a peek at the Sistine Chapel before visiting St. Peter’s Basilica, which was closed to tourists until the visit was over.
— Elisabetta Povoledo— Elisabetta Povoledo
Details of the discussion between Pope Francis and Mr. Trump remain private for now, but it is clear that Francis had some things on his mind.
During a visit to Rome shortly after federal courts blocked Mr. Trump’s order barring refugees from seven predominantly Muslim countries, Senator Tim Kaine of Virginia spoke briefly with the pope at a rope line.
Mr. Kaine described telling Francis how important it was that the pope served as an advocate for refugees in the United States, adding that he did not need to mention Mr. Trump by name. “He knew what I was talking about,” Mr. Kaine said.
The senator said the pope had responded by saying: “I’m going to keep doing what I am doing. But the U.S.’s role in this, world wide, is incredibly important, and we need strong leaders in the U.S. to stand up for American principles and humanitarianism.”
The senator said that the pope had expressed appreciation for efforts he had led, but that the pontiff had urged him to “please get more of your colleagues to be helpful.”
— Jason Horowitz
James Nicholson, an ambassador to the Vatican during the George W. Bush administration, said that he had helped arrange the meeting between Mr. Trump and Pope Francis after he realized that the president’s advisers — unaware that they had to request an audience with the pope — were waiting for an invitation.James Nicholson, an ambassador to the Vatican during the George W. Bush administration, said that he had helped arrange the meeting between Mr. Trump and Pope Francis after he realized that the president’s advisers — unaware that they had to request an audience with the pope — were waiting for an invitation.
“They hadn’t gotten an invitation, and I said, ‘You’ll never get an invitation,’ ” said Mr. Nicholson.“They hadn’t gotten an invitation, and I said, ‘You’ll never get an invitation,’ ” said Mr. Nicholson.
He added that he had emphasized to Joseph W. Hagin, the White House deputy chief of staff for operations, and other administration officials that Mr. Trump was at risk of becoming the first American president since World War II to visit Italy and not see the pope.He added that he had emphasized to Joseph W. Hagin, the White House deputy chief of staff for operations, and other administration officials that Mr. Trump was at risk of becoming the first American president since World War II to visit Italy and not see the pope.
“That was a data point that I was pretty persistent on,” he said.“That was a data point that I was pretty persistent on,” he said.
— Jason Horowitz— Jason Horowitz
Mr. Trump had a large entourage with him at the Vatican on Wednesday, but one senior member of his administration was noticeably absent.Mr. Trump had a large entourage with him at the Vatican on Wednesday, but one senior member of his administration was noticeably absent.
The senior adviser, Stephen K. Bannon, returned to Washington before Mr. Trump traveled to the Vatican, ostensibly for budget talks. But Mr. Bannon has repeatedly criticized Pope Francis, alternately calling him a socialist, a global elitist and a promoter of Muslim migration to Europe.The senior adviser, Stephen K. Bannon, returned to Washington before Mr. Trump traveled to the Vatican, ostensibly for budget talks. But Mr. Bannon has repeatedly criticized Pope Francis, alternately calling him a socialist, a global elitist and a promoter of Muslim migration to Europe.
“I think that’s probably relevant, given that he is a key adviser to the president,” said Mr. Nicholson, the former American ambassador to the Vatican. “That is why this visit is so important. There still is an educational element to it, it is an opportunity for President Trump to learn a lot more about this man, his life and his formation. He is such a figure on the world stage that it’s good they get to know each other, and maybe build a friendship.”“I think that’s probably relevant, given that he is a key adviser to the president,” said Mr. Nicholson, the former American ambassador to the Vatican. “That is why this visit is so important. There still is an educational element to it, it is an opportunity for President Trump to learn a lot more about this man, his life and his formation. He is such a figure on the world stage that it’s good they get to know each other, and maybe build a friendship.”
— Jason Horowitz— Jason Horowitz
After meeting the pope and touring the Sistine Chapel, Ivanka Trump visited the Community of Sant’Egidio, which helps the destitute and immigrants, and met with victims of human trafficking, a practice that the pope has called “a plague on the body of contemporary humanity.”
Marco Impagliazzo, the president of Sant’Egidio, said the State Department had requested the meeting. “We see it as a great pleasure that such an influential and powerful person in the White House has decided to talk about these themes, which are close to our hearts,” he said. “Especially her. At least from what we read in the papers, she is extremely close to the president. Let’s hope it is an opportunity.”
He was also hopeful that Mr. Trump’s meeting with Pope Francis might have changed the president’s mind on issues like immigration and climate change. “In meeting with people there are always miracles,” he said, adding he hoped the meeting had communicated “the pain of these poor South American immigrants that the pope carries in his heart.”
In a grim reminder of the continuing challenges presented by immigration not just in the United States but around the world, the Italian Coast Guard said at least 20 bodies had been found in the Mediterranean Sea, about 30 miles off the Libyan coast.
— Jason Horowitz
Past presidential visits to Rome have prompted demonstrations and even riots, but Mr. Trump’s presence met only muted opposition.
The sole protest of note took place Tuesday evening in a Roman piazza that one of the organizers, Tanya Halkyard, an American living in Rome, described as “not iconic but accessible.”
It was also the only venue that the city’s security officials allowed them to use, she said, as already tight security measures across Rome were tightened further for Mr. Trump’s stay.
Ms. Halkyard is the local leader of American Expats for Positive Change, which was founded “right after the election” as a channel to give a voice to Americans overseas who could not attend town hall-style meetings in the United States or visit Washington. “It’s important to make some noise and show there is a global resistance, and that his opponents are everywhere,” she said.
There were about as many police officers and members of the news media as there were demonstrators at the “Rome Resists — Trump Protest” on Tuesday, but the protesters made themselves heard. They chanted “No warfare, more health care” and “Social rights are human rights,” occasionally switching to songs, including “America the Beautiful” and the civil rights anthem “We Shall Overcome.”
“I grew up with these songs,” said Chiara Midolo, one of few Italians at the rally, who described herself as Americanista, or pro-American. “I’m very sad about what’s happening after eight years that were years of hope for us.”
— Elisabetta Povoledo