The issues dividing Pope Francis and Barack Obama
27 March 2014 Last updated at 23:14 GMT
Pope Francis has met President Barack Obama in Rome for the first time, with the contentious issues of abortion and contraception on the agenda.
The Vatican said the talks touched on "the rights to religious freedom, life and conscientious objection".
The Catholic Church backs doctors who refuse to perform abortions and is concerned at contraception in US healthcare laws.
Gavin Hewitt reports from Rome.