Pope Francis receives President Obama at Vatican

ROME - Pope Francis and President Obama met in a private audience at the Vatican Thursday morning, but shared little of their discussion afterwards.

The meeting, which followed photographs, began at 10:27 a.m and lasted about 50 minutes.

Italian newspapers were reporting that both U.S. and Vatican diplomatic sources said a top item on Obama's agenda was to invite Francis to Philadelphia in September of next year for the World Meeting of Families.

About 10:15, the president's motorcade pulled into San Damaso, a courtyard at the Vatican, where an American flag flew below the clock.

Obama was greeted by Archbishop Georg Ganswein, prefect of the Pontifical Household, who led him upstairs. There, Francis greeted the president in the small throne room used to receive heads of state. They walked towards each other and stretched out their hands to greet. They smiled and the president nodded his head slightly.

"Wonderful meeting you, I'm a great admirer," the president said. "Thank you sir, thank you."

After shaking hands they walked into the much larger Papal Library, where they took seats with interpreters alongside them.

The pope and the president continued to offer greetings as they sat down, although their exchange was obscured by the loud clicking of cameras. After several minutes the doors were closed and their conversation began.

It was later reported that the president presented the pope with a custom-made seed chest featuring a variety of fruit and vegetable seeds used in the White House Garden.

Although their conversation during the gift exchange was difficult to hear, Obama appeared to make several lighthearted remarks that made the pope smile or laugh.

As he gave Francis the seed box, Obama mentioned that he had heard the pope has decided to open gardens at Castle Gandolfo, his summer residence, to the public.

"These I think are carrots," he said, holding up a small bag. "Each one has a different seed in it. The box is made from timber from the first [Catholic] cathedral to open in the United States, in Baltimore."

"If you have a chance to come to the White House, we can show you our garden as well," the president said.

Francis responded by giving the president a plaque, which Obama said he would "treasure," and a copy of an encyclical.

"I actually will probably read this in the Oval Office when I'm deeply frustrated. I'm sure it will give me strength and calm me down," the president said, smiling.

Francis smiled when the remark was interpreted for him.

"His Holiness is probably the only person in the world who has to put up with more protocol," the president later joked.

Before parting, the two shook hands in an extended embrace.

"My family has to be with me on this journey. They've been very strong. Pray for them. I would appreciate it," the president said.

Francis said he would.

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