Obama a ‘great admirer’ of Pope

Calling himself “a great admirer”, US president Barack Obama held nearly an hour of private talks about fighting global inequality with Pope Francis and invited the pontiff to visit the White House.

Obama appeared at ease and joked with the Pope during the parts of their first meeting that were open to reporters, at one point saying he did not know how his wife and children “put up with me”.

The president and his delegation, including secretary of state John Kerry, walked past the frescoed halls of the Vatican’s Apostolic Palace to the entrance of the Francis’ private library.