Briana Koeneman
Why Trump And The Pope's First Meeting Really Matters
Despite never meeting, their relationship is already ... interesting.
LEARN MOREPosted: 9:31 a.m. EDT May 24, 2017
Pope Francis extended an olive branch to President Donald Trump during their first face-to-face meeting — literally.
"This features an olive tree, which is a symbol of the peace," Pope Francis' translator said.
"We can use this. We can use peace," Trump replied.
After the two spoke for a while in a private room, Francis and Trump exchanged gifts.
Trump presented the pope with a custom-bound case of books by Martin Luther King Jr.
And in return, Francis gave Trump a medal inscribed with an olive tree. The tree's branches are well-known as a symbol of peace.
By all accounts, it was a very cordial meeting between the two leaders, who have had a somewhat tumultuous past.
During last year's presidential campaign, the pope criticized Trump's pledge to build a wall on the border between the U.S. and Mexico.
Trump responded by calling Francis "disgraceful" for questioning his faith.
These days, they have at least one thing in common: Both have called on Muslim leaders to take a stand against violent extremism in their communities.
