POPE FRANCIS IS set to meet President Obama in America later this year, the White House has confirmed.

The pontiff’s first visit to Washington DC will take place on 23 September.

Pablo Martinez Monsivais Pablo Martinez Monsivais

A statement from the White House said the pair would discuss the following topics:

• Caring for the marginalised and the poor
• Advancing economic opportunity for all
• Serving as good stewards of the environment
• Protecting religious minorities and promoting religious freedom around the world
• Welcoming and integrating immigrants and refugees into our communities

Pope Francis will address a joint meeting of the US Congress on 24 September, the first time a head of the Catholic Church has done so.

About 78 million Roman Catholics live in the United States. Obama met the pope at the Vatican in March last year.

Pope Francis is seen by many as more liberal than his predecessors – however, former Irish president Mary McAleese recently said he carries “a residual element of misogyny” that stops him advancing the cause of women in the church.

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