The message behind the Pope's gifts to Mr. Trump

The gifts Pope Francis gave to US President Donald Trump during their meeting on May 24 contained messages about peace and environmental protection.

Pope Francis put climate change on the agenda yesterday at his first meeting with US President Donald Trump. The topic is expected to continue to appear at meetings between the White House owner and world leaders in the coming days. In another meeting, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican's foreign minister, also urged Mr. Trump not to withdraw the US from the Paris agreement on climate change, according to the New York Times.

During the private meeting, the Pope gave the US President a speech on environmental protection that he had written. At the end of the meeting, the Pope presented the US President with a small carved olive tree. Experts say that the gifts that the Pope gave the US President contained many meaningful messages.

In their first meeting, the Pope and the US President, two men with very different worldviews, attempted to bridge the gap with handshakes, a private conversation and a commitment to peace. They adhered closely to diplomatic protocol, avoiding sensitive statements or criticism.

Last year, Pope Francis said that a man who thinks of building walls to separate rather than bridges to connect is “not Christian,” referring to the US president’s call for a wall along the border with Mexico. In response, Trump criticized Pope Francis for questioning his religious beliefs.

Pope Francis talks with President Donald Trump on the morning of May 24 at the Vatican - Photo: Reuters

Writers Mark Landler and Jason Horowitz from the New York Times commented that the Pope clearly expressed the message he wanted to convey with the gifts he gave to the US President.

The message about the importance of the environment serves as a reminder of Mr Trump’s skepticism about climate change, while the carved olive tree is a reminder of the US president’s commitment to peace around the world.

"A symbol of peace," the Pope explained as he handed the olive tree to the US President. In response, Mr. Trump affirmed that "we can work together for peace."

"I hope you can be an olive tree for peace," Pope Francis added. "I will not forget your words," Mr. Trump said as he bid the Pope farewell.

The Vatican is the US president’s third stop, after Saudi Arabia and Israel, on a nine-day tour of the Middle East and Europe. In Saudi Arabia, Mr. Trump signed a $110 billion arms deal and was greeted warmly by the royal family. In Israel, he emphasized the role of peacekeeping and affirmed the US commitment to its close ally. But in the Vatican and elsewhere in Europe, Mr. Trump will need to overcome suspicion, experts say.

Important meeting

At 8:20 a.m., under a clear blue sky, the US President's motorcade entered the Papal Palace. The security team stood solemnly as Mr. Trump and his wife, Mrs. Melania, stepped out of the car. Mr. Trump wore a dark suit, Mrs. Melania in a black dress and a veil. A few minutes earlier, the Pope had been waiting.

Archbishop Georg Ganswein welcomed US President Trump and led him to a waiting area outside the Pope's office. "Thank you very much," Mr Trump said upon meeting the Pope. "It's an honor."

After the two men took a “routine” photo as the Pope whispered, Mr. Trump walked to his seat. Vatican officials ushered all reporters out of the room. The US President and the Pope had a half-hour conversation.

Speaking to reporters, Mr. Trump described the meeting with the Pope as "wonderful." On Twitter, the US President wrote: "I leave the Vatican more determined than ever to pursue world peace."

The bell rang to signal the end of the private meeting at 9am. Mrs Melania then appeared with her husband, chatting with the Pope. Pope Francis smiled and joked with the US first lady: "Did you feed him potica?" Potica is a dessert from Slovenia, Mrs Melania's homeland.

“This visit is incredibly important,” said Jim Nicholson, a former US ambassador to the Vatican. “It’s an opportunity for President Trump to learn more about the Pope, his life and his views.”

In addition to his environmental speech, the Pope also gave the US President two other documents along with his latest message for World Peace Day. "I signed it specially for you," Pope Francis told the US President.

"I will certainly read them," Mr. Trump replied. The US President also gave the Pope a set of books written by Martin Luther King Jr.

According to VNE