Obama, Pope discuss bioethics, abortion in warm first meeting

Obama and Benedict held private talks for about 40 minutes in the pope's frescoed study in the Vatican's apostolic palace and the Vatican said bioethics and life issues were a central part of the discussion.

The pontiff gave Obama a booklet explaining Vatican opposition to practices such as abortion and embryonic stem cell research, which Obama supports. The document titled "Dignitas Personae" (Dignity of the Person) lists biomedical techniques considered "illicit" by the Roman Catholic Church such as the therapeutic use of stem cells and the use of the "morning-after" contraceptive pill.

The US leader, who was to head to Ghana later Friday, then quipped: "I'll have some reading to do on the flight."

After taking office in January, Obama ended his predecessor George W. Bush's restrictions on government funding for embryonic stem cell research and for family planning groups that carry out or facilitate abortions overseas. Obama says his policy is to change economic and social conditions so as to put more women in situations where they do not feel they have to have an abortion.

Vatican spokesman Father Federico Lombardi said the pope was "very impressed" by Obama and that the pontiff was "extremely satisfied" with the talks.

Obama told the pope during a picture-taking session after the private part of the audience: "We look forward to a very strong relationship between our two countries."

First Lady Michelle Obama, wearing a black mantilla over a black dress, joined the party for the traditional exchange of gifts.

This week the Benedict published an encyclical - the highest form of papal teaching - in which he argued for an ethical approach towards economic policies and in reorganising the international financial system. He gave Obama a leather-bound copy of the encyclical as they exchanged gifts following Friday's meeting. 

Benedict, 82, also offered the U.S. leader a mosaic depicting St Peter's Square with one of its fountains in the foreground.

Obama gave the Pope a stole that had covered the remains of St John Neuman, a 19th-century missionary who was the first American bishop to be canonised.

Obama introduced his daughters Sasha and Malia, as well as his mother-in-law Marian Robinson, to the pope, the Vatican press office said.

White House national security aide Denis McDonough said Obama and Benedict discussed Sen. Edward Kennedy at the end of a half-hour one-on-one meeting at the Vatican on Friday. The President has given Pope Benedict a personal letter from the ailing senator. Kennedy, a Massachusetts Democrat, was diagnosed a year ago with terminal brain cancer. Obama asked the pope to pray for Kennedy, a member of one of the United States' most prominent Roman Catholic families and a politically ally to Obama.

As the presidentidal couple took their leave, the pope said: "I'll pray for you. I'll pray for your work."