Popes and US presidents | CNN Politics

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President Joe Biden shakes hands with Pope Francis as they meet at the Vatican on Friday, October 29. It was <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2021%2F10%2F26%2Fpolitics%2Fbiden-schedule-g20-cop26%2Findex.html" target="_blank">the fourth meeting</a> between Francis and Biden, and it came as Biden began <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2021%2F10%2F29%2Fpolitics%2Fgallery%2Fbiden-europe-trip-pope-francis-g20%2Findex.html" target="_blank">his second trip abroad</a> as President.
President Joe Biden shakes hands with Pope Francis as they meet at the Vatican on Friday, October 29. It was the fourth meeting between Francis and Biden, and it came as Biden began his second trip abroad as President.
Vatican Media/AP
Politics

In pictures: Popes and US presidents

Updated 11:06 AM EDT, Fri October 29, 2021
Link Copied!

Every US president since Dwight D. Eisenhower has had a formal audience with the Pope.

A couple of them — Barack Obama and George W. Bush — have met with two different Popes.

Joe Biden, a devout lifelong Catholic, became the latest president to meet the Pope during his visit to the Vatican on Friday. Biden often wears his late son Beau's rosary on his wrist, and he frequently speaks about the important role that his faith plays in his life.

Pope Francis stands with President Donald Trump and his family during a <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2017%2F05%2F23%2Fpolitics%2Fpope-trump-meeting%2Findex.html" target="_blank">private audience</a> at the Vatican in 2017. Joining the President were his wife, Melania, and his daughter Ivanka.
Pope Francis stands with President Donald Trump and his family during a private audience at the Vatican in 2017. Joining the President were his wife, Melania, and his daughter Ivanka.
Evan Vucci/Pool/AFP/Getty Images
Pope Francis and President Barack Obama exchange gifts during a private audience at the Vatican in 2014.
Pope Francis and President Barack Obama exchange gifts during a private audience at the Vatican in 2014.
Gabriel Bouys/AFP/Getty Images
Obama and his wife, Michelle, meet with Pope Benedict XVI at the Vatican in 2009. Benedict resigned as Pope in 2013.
Obama and his wife, Michelle, meet with Pope Benedict XVI at the Vatican in 2009. Benedict resigned as Pope in 2013.
Pete Souza/White House/Getty Images
During a trip to the Vatican in 2007, President George W. Bush gives Pope Benedict XVI a walking stick inscribed with the Ten Commandments. The stick was made by a formerly homeless man in Texas. Bush met with popes a record six times while he was in office.
During a trip to the Vatican in 2007, President George W. Bush gives Pope Benedict XVI a walking stick inscribed with the Ten Commandments. The stick was made by a formerly homeless man in Texas. Bush met with popes a record six times while he was in office.
Franco Origlia/Getty Images
Bush presents Pope John Paul II with the Presidential Medal of Freedom at the Vatican in 2004.
Bush presents Pope John Paul II with the Presidential Medal of Freedom at the Vatican in 2004.
Eric Vandeville/Gamma-Rapho/Getty Images
President Bill Clinton stands by as Pope John Paul II speaks at a news conference in Denver in 1993.
President Bill Clinton stands by as Pope John Paul II speaks at a news conference in Denver in 1993.
Dirck Halstead/The Chronicle Collection/Getty Images
Pope John Paul II presents first lady Barbara Bush with a Vatican Medal as President George H.W. Bush looks at his medal during a ceremony at the Vatican in 1989.
Pope John Paul II presents first lady Barbara Bush with a Vatican Medal as President George H.W. Bush looks at his medal during a ceremony at the Vatican in 1989.
Ron Edmonds/AP
President Ronald Reagan meets with Pope John Paul II at the airport in Fairbanks, Alaska, in 1984. The Pope was making a layover on his way to South Korea, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands and Thailand. Reagan was on his way home from China.
President Ronald Reagan meets with Pope John Paul II at the airport in Fairbanks, Alaska, in 1984. The Pope was making a layover on his way to South Korea, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands and Thailand. Reagan was on his way home from China.
David Hume Kennerly/Getty Images
President Jimmy Carter watches Pope John Paul II sign the White House guest book in 1979. He was the first Pope to visit the White House.
President Jimmy Carter watches Pope John Paul II sign the White House guest book in 1979. He was the first Pope to visit the White House.
Karl Schumacher/White House/Time Life Pictures/Getty Images
President Gerald Ford and first lady Betty Ford visit Pope Paul VI at the Vatican in 1975.
President Gerald Ford and first lady Betty Ford visit Pope Paul VI at the Vatican in 1975.
Rolls Press/Popperfoto/Getty Images
President Richard Nixon meets with Pope Paul VI at the Vatican in 1970.
President Richard Nixon meets with Pope Paul VI at the Vatican in 1970.
National Archives
In 1965, Pope Paul VI became the first Pope to visit the United States. He met with President Lyndon B. Johnson and addressed the United Nations in a plea for world peace.
In 1965, Pope Paul VI became the first Pope to visit the United States. He met with President Lyndon B. Johnson and addressed the United Nations in a plea for world peace.
AP
President John F. Kennedy talks with Pope Paul VI at the Vatican in 1963. Kennedy, who was the first Catholic president, met with the pontiff shortly after his coronation.
President John F. Kennedy talks with Pope Paul VI at the Vatican in 1963. Kennedy, who was the first Catholic president, met with the pontiff shortly after his coronation.
Bettmann Archive/Getty Images
President Dwight D. Eisenhower, third from left, meets with Pope John XXIII at the Vatican in 1959. Eisenhower was actually the second president to meet the Pope. Woodrow Wilson was the first in 1919, meeting Pope Benedict XV.
President Dwight D. Eisenhower, third from left, meets with Pope John XXIII at the Vatican in 1959. Eisenhower was actually the second president to meet the Pope. Woodrow Wilson was the first in 1919, meeting Pope Benedict XV.
Paul Schutzer//Time Life Pictures/Getty Images

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