Pope Benedict XVI placed life issues front and center in his discussions with President Barack Obama, as the Vatican’s post-meeting communiqué made clear in this passage:
In the course of their cordial exchanges, the conversation turned first of all to questions which are in the interests of all and which constitute a great challenge for the future of every nation and for the true progress of peoples, such as the defense and promotion of life and the right to abide by one’s conscience.
It would have been interesting to listen to exactly what the Pope said to the president about abortion and the protection of conscience, wouldn’t it?