Gifts Trump and Pope Francis exchanged, including the pontiff's letter on the environment
— -- President Donald Trump and Pope Francis exchanged gifts today after their cordial, private meeting, which lasted about 30 minutes, at the Vatican.
Following standard practice, the pope gave rosaries to members of the visiting delegation, including Trump's wife, Melania Trump; his daughter and adviser Ivanka Trump; and his son-in-law and adviser Jared Kushner.
Francis gave Donald Trump a large medal by a Roman artist, inscribed with an olive branch, a symbol of peace.
Francis also gave Trump this year's "message of peace" with a personalized inscription.
"We can use peace," Trump said. "That's so beautiful. Thank you."
Other gifts from the pope included his three writings on family, the joy of the Gospel and "care of our common home, the environment," which he said he gives all Catholics.
The missive on the environment is his 2015 encyclical "Laudato Si," in which he calls for global action to combat climate change.
"Well, I'll be reading them," Trump said.
In return, Trump gave Francis a set of books by civil rights icon Martin Luther King Jr. in a custom, hand-made display case.
"I think you will enjoy them," Trump told the pope.
The first-edition collection includes "Stride Toward Freedom," "The Measure of a Man," "Why We Can't Wait," "Where Do We Go From Here: Chaos or Community?" and "The Strength to Love," which has King's signature.
According to the White House, each book is "custom-bound and accented with gold hand tooling."
In addition to the books, Trump gave the pope a piece from the King monument in Washington, the "Stone of Hope," engraved with a quote, and a bronze sculpture of a floating lotus titled "Rising Above" by a Florida artist. The sculpture represents "hope for a peaceful tomorrow" the White House said.
Before parting ways, Trump thanked Francis and said, "I won't forget what you said."
