Pope Francis Gives Trump a Copy of Amoris Laetitia (and Laudato Si and Evangelii Gaudium and a Signed Copy of His Message for the 2017 World Day of Peace)

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Good times

Pope Francis gave Donald Trump copies of three of his most famous works that credit him as the author, along with an autographed copy of one of his speeches. He also gave Trump a medal that "symbolized peace," as well as giving medals and rosaries to the rest of his entourage.

Trump responded, "we can use peace."

For his part, Trump gave the Pope a special set of books containing works by Martin Luther King Jr., saying: "I think you'll enjoy them. I hope you do."

If it had been me, I would have given Francis Raggedy Dick; or Street Life in New York in New York with the Bootblacks by Horatio Alger.

Or perhaps Communism and the Conscience of the West by Fulton Sheen.

Or a short booklet, written last year by the American Catholic prelate and author Raymond Burke and three others. It's been a while so I don't remember its name.

But I think the Pope might already have it.

From CNA:

Vatican City, May 24, 2017 - After months of anticipation, Pope Francis and U.S. President Donald Trump finally met at the Vatican Wednesday in a friendly encounter which included an exchange of gifts and an emphasis on peace and unity. 

The Pope and Trump met at the Vatican May 24, at 8:30a.m., immediately before the weekly general audience in St. Peter’s Square. 

Trump arrived to Italy May 23 after stopping in both Saudi Arabia and Israel as part of his first international trip. He is also set to attend a NATO meeting in Brussels on May 25 and a G7 summit in Sicily on May 26 before returning to the U.S. 

President Trump arrived to the Vatican via the side entrance by Casa Santa Marta around 8:15a.m. and was greeted by a group of Swiss Guards in the San Damaso courtyard. After stepping out of the car, Trump and First Lady Melania greeted Cardinal Georg Ganswein and other Vatican dignitaries before entering the Apostolic Palace. 

Pope Francis and Trump smiled as they sat down at the Pope’s desk in the papal library. Pope Francis said, “Welcome!” and Trump responded, “Thank you very much, this is such a great honor.” 

Smiling, Francis explained that he doesn't speak English well and needs a translator, but added that he was “very happy to meet” Trump. 

After the cameras left the two began the private portion of their conversation, which lasted about 30 minutes. In addition to Pope Francis and Trump, only the Pope's English translator, Msgr. Mark Miles, was present. 

After their formal conversation, gifts were exchanged between Francis, Trump and the president’s official delegation. There were 12 people in his entourage, including First Lady Melania Trump; daughter Ivanka, Tump's assistant and his son-in-law Jared Kushner, his assistant and senior advisor. 

Also present for the meeting with Pope Francis were U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs H.R. McMaster and Louis Bono, American Chargé d'Affaires ad interim to the Holy See until Calista Gingrich us officially approved as ambassador. 

Despite their differing opinions on climate change, Pope Francis gave Trump a copy of his environmental encyclical Laudato Si’, as well as copies of his 2015 Apostolic Exhortation on the family “Amoris Laetitia” and his 2013 exhortation “Evangelii Gaudium.” 

In addition to the customary gift of these three documents, Francis also gave President Trump a copy of his message for the 2017 World Day of Peace, saying: “I signed it personally for you.” Trump responded that he would be reading them. 

The Pope also gifted the U.S. President with a medallion he said symbolized peace and unity, which, after the translator explained in English, he added in Spanish: “Have it so that you become an instrument of peace.” In response, Trump said that “we can use peace.” 

On his part, President Trump gifted Pope Francis a set of books by Martin Luther King, Jr., saying: “I think you’ll enjoy them, I hope you do." 

Members of the delegation each received a medal and a rosary from the pontiff. When greeting Francis, First Lady Melania told him that she would afterward be visiting the hospital. Joking, the Pope asked her if they had given her potica, a traditional Slovenian dessert, to eat, to which she responded, “yes, potica,” as they both laughed. 

Departing with a handshake, Trump said to Francis: "Thank you, thank you, I won't forget what you said."