The two leaders shared an affectionate embrace
+ READ ARTICLEPope Francis and French President Emmanuel Macron shared an affectionate embrace following a Tuesday morning meeting that went overtime at the Vatican.
After speaking privately for nearly an hour—about twice as long as Francis usually spends with heads of state—in the pope’s library in the Apostolic Palace, Macron was photographed putting a hand around Francis’ shoulder and kissing him on both cheeks. The Pope reciprocated by warmly gripping Macron’s arm.
The two leaders also exchanged gifts, with Macron giving the pope a rare copy of Georges Bernanos’ 1936 book Diary of a Country Priest while Francis presented the French president with a medal depicting St. Martin of Tours, who gave his cloak to a poor man.
A Vatican statement said the two discussed, “protection of the environment, migration, and multilateral commitment to conflict prevention and resolution, especially in relation to disarmament,” according to Reuters.