Obama, Pope Francis meet for first time

By Halimah Abdullah, CNN

March 27, 2014 -- Updated 1507 GMT (2307 HKT)

President Obama meets the Pope

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

• The meeting between the Pope and the President could help smooth tensions with Catholics
• Abortion and Obamacare mandates on contraception are areas of disagreement
• One place for common ground could be the plight of immigrants and the poor
• Pope Francis' popularity could give President Obama a small bump in the polls

(CNN) -- President Barack Obama gave Pope Francis a bag of seeds as a gift, a fitting token as their first-ever meeting provided a fresh start of sorts between the administration and Catholic leadership after years of strained relations.

"These, I think, are carrots," Obama told the Pontiff, showing him one pouch. The seeds were inside a box made from timber from the first cathedral to open in the United States, in Baltimore.

The two world leaders greeted each other with a smile and a handshake, and posed for pictures before sitting down across a table from each other.

It was an important meeting that had its share of light moments.

Photos: Popes and U.S. presidents

Pope Francis' first year

Rock star Pope shakes up the Vatican

The President at one point quipped, "His Holiness is probably the only person in the world who has to put up with more protocol."

The goal of the meeting: Focus on areas where two of the world's most influential men agree and gently tread ground where they differ.

In an interview with the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera, Obama pointed to the Pope's concern for income inequality, saying, "Given his great moral authority, when the Pope speaks it carries enormous weight."

Continuing to focus on income inequality, Obama said, "And it isn't just an economic issue, it's a moral issue. I think the Pope was speaking to the danger that over time we grow accustomed to this kind of inequality and accept it as normal. But we can't."

The President said he admires the Pope's courage to speak out on economic and social issues.

"It doesn't mean we agree on every issue, but his voice is one that I think the world needs to hear. He challenges us," Obama told the newspaper. "He implores us to remember the people, especially the poor, who are affected by the economic decisions we make."

The meeting took place two days after the U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments on a contraception mandate included in the President's signature health care reform law.

The law exempts churches and houses of worship from the requirement, but nonprofit, religiously affiliated groups are required either to provide contraception coverage to their employees directly or through a third-party insurer.

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has been vocal in its opposition to the provision, said Sister Mary Ann Walsh, a spokeswoman for the organization.

Pope Francis' most irresistible moments

Jimmy Carter for Catholic women priests

Photos: Gateway for migrants, refugees

"Religious liberties and right-to-life issues are a concern," she said of the tension between American Catholic leadership and the administration. However, "the U.S. bishops have appreciated the administration's cooperation on issues of mutual concern."