WORLD: Obama’s talks on abortion with the Pope

The President may discuss abortion rights and embryonic stem cell research with the Pope

Paul Thompson12 April 2012

Barack Obama is to be given an audience with the Pope when he travels to Italy next month.

White House officials said the US president would meet Benedict on July 10 to discuss a "range of issues". It will be the first meeting between Obama and the head of the Catholic Church at the Vatican in Rome.

Obama is a committed Christian and despite his differences with the Catholic Church shares some views with the Pope on some international issues.

Both have taken steps to improve relations with the Islamic world.

And the Vatican gave strong support to Obama's speech this month seeking better ties with Muslims.

Among the likely range of subjects to be discussed will be the president's support for abortion rights and embryonic stem cell research - both topics that puts him at odds with the teachings of the Roman Catholic church.

Within days of taking office, the president signed an executive order that reversed his predecessor's policy banning federal funding for groups that provide abortions outside the US,

Weeks later he also reversed a President Bush era policy banning embryonic stem cell research.

The highly anticipated meeting with the Pope will be during while Mr Obama is in Italy for the annual G8 summit.

Like many foreign leaders Pope Benedict appears to be a fan of the new US president.

He broke Vatican protocol the day after Mr Obama won the election by sending a note of congratulations rather than waiting to send a message on his inauguration.

Vatican officials said that the Pope had agreed to meet with Mr Obama on the afternoon of July 10th.

Usually the Pope only receives visitors during the morning, but Vatican spokesman the Rev. Federico Lombardi said the Pope would fit in with the president's schedule.

White House press spokesman Robert Gibb said:"The president will visit with the holy father, Pope Benedict the XVI, to discuss a range of issues, including their shared belief in the dignity of all people."

Gibbs said Michelle Obama will also take part in the visit.