Obama says talk with Pope Francis focused on plight of poor, wars --- ROME — President Obama joined Pope Francis on Thursday at the Vatican, a meeting of two world figures with radically different politics but a shared concern that the global economy is dangerously dividing rich and poor. -- The visit, watched closely here by an avid media and curious Romans who leaned from balconies to see Obama’s motorcade pass, is the most symbolic stop of the president’s Europe trip. -- The two greeted each other Thursday morning outside the Papal Library in the Small Throne Room, extending hands and smiles. -- “Wonderful meeting you. I’m a great admirer,” Obama said. “Thank you, sir, thank you.” -- The men withdrew into the Papal Library and took seats on opposite sides of the pope’s desk. “Thank you,” Obama said, “for receiving me.” -- The meeting lasted less than an hour. But the encounter has been charged with the politics of the world’s most powerful nation and one of its most influential religious movements, and by a pair of men who have sought to change the public character of the institutions they run. -- Obama said that “the bulk of the time was spent discussing two central concerns” — the plight of “the poor, the marginalized and growing inequality” and the challenge of war in the world today. He said the talk underscored that although political leaders must find solutions, Francis has the power to focus public attention on the importance of resolving these issues. -- “We spent a lot of time talking about the challenges of conflict and how elusive peace is around the world,” Obama said, particularly the Israeli-Palestinian negotiations, an issue of particular interest to the pope, who is scheduled to visit the Middle East in late May; the unrest in Syria and Lebanon; and the persecution of Christians. -- “The theme that stitched our conversation together was a belief that, in politics and in life, the quality of empathy, the ability to stand in somebody else’s shoes and to care for someone even if they don’t look like you or talk like you or share your philosophy — that’s critical,” Obama said. “It’s the lack of empathy that plunges us into wars.” -- Obama said he urged Francis to visit the United States, saying the country would receive him enthusiastically. - More, Scott Wilson, Washingtonpost, at: http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/obama-pope-francis-challenges-us-on-economic-and-social-issues/2014/03/27/b466b672-b594-11e3-b899-20667de76985_story.html