A communique released by the Holy See Press Office stated that the Holy Father and President Obama exchanged views on "international themes", in particular areas of conflict. The both expressed their hope that "there would be respect for humanitarian and international law and a negotiated solution between the parties involved."
President Obama presented the Holy Father with a variety of seeds from the White House garden in a custom-made seed chest. The chest was designed from American leather and made from wood from the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, one of the oldest Catholic cathedrals in the United States.
For his part, the Holy Father gave the president two medallions. The first was made of hand-coated fused bronze. The medallion “depicts an angel [...] embracing and bringing together the northern and southern hemispheres of the earth, while overcoming the opposition of a dragon,” a note from the Holy See explained. The engraving on the medal reads: “A World of Solidarity and Peace Founded on Justice.”
“The figure of the angel illustrates contemporary challenges: bringing the world’s northern and southern regions together and harmonizing them while combating all disruptive forces, such as exploitation, intransigent opposition, new forms of colonialism, indifference, mistrust and prejudice.”
Pope Francis also gave a copy of his Apostolic Exhortation, Evangelii Gaudium. Upon receiving the copy, the President said to the Pope: “You know, I actually will probably read this when I am in the Oval Office when I'm deeply frustrated and I’m sure it will give me strength and calm me down.”