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Updated 2:45 p.m. ET

President Obama told Pope Benedict XVI at a Vatican meeting that he would work to limit how many abortions take place each year in the United States, according to a Vatican spokesman.

"The pontiff told me that President Obama affirmed his personal commitment to try to reduce the number of abortions in the United States," spokesman Federico Lombardi said, according to Agence France-Presse.

The president met with the pope for 25 minutes on Friday in the Papal Library. As the pair posed for pictures at the outset of the meeting, the president said to the pontiff, "I'm sure you're used to getting your picture taken. I'm still getting used to it."

Cameras and reporters were only allowed to record the beginning and end of the meeting. The president could be heard saying "thank you, God bless you" to Benedict as they parted. He also said he looks forward to "a very strong relationship between our two countries."

According to the White House, the two men discussed the encyclical (Papal letter) released by the pope earlier this week, and Benedict gave the president a signed copy of the encyclical. They also discussed the situation in the Middle East, Cuba and Honduras.

In addition, "they talked about interfaith dialogue, obviously mentioning the president's speech in Cairo, but also mentioning their shared desire for Middle East peace," Deputy National Security Advisor For Strategic Communications Denis McDonough said. Other topics touched on were countering Muslim extremism, immigration and bioethics.

McDonough said the president presented the pope with a letter from Senator Ted Kennedy and asked him to pray for Kennedy, who has been battling brain cancer. The content of the letter was not disclosed. Kennedy's brother John was the first Catholic president on the United States.

On taking off from Rome today, Mr. Obama called Kennedy to tell him about the meeting - and assure him the letter was delivered," reports CBS News White House correspondent Mark Knoller.

According to McDonough, Mr. Obama "was very impressed and touched by the office of the Holy Father but also by the breadth of issues that they discussed."

This was the first meeting between President Obama and Pope Benedict. Mr. Obama sought common ground on abortion and stem cell research during the meeting, McDonough said, despite the differences between Benedict and the pro-choice president.

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President Obama today will attend a working breakfast and a meeting of the leaders of the G8, participating African countries (Angola, Algeria, Nigeria, and Senegal), and six international organizations (United Nations, International Monetary Fund, World Bank, World Trade Organization, International Energy Agency, and Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development).

In the afternoon, Mr. Obama will hold a bilateral meeting with South African President Jacob Zuma. Later, the president will hold a press conference.

Mr. Obama will then travel to Rome, where he will meet with Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone at the Vatican. The president will then attend a bilateral meeting with Pope Benedeict XVI. Following the meeting, the first family will have an audience with the Pope.

In the evening, Mr. Obama and Michelle Obama will depart Italy and travel to Accra, Ghana. Here is more from the White House press office (all times Eastern):

2:30AM: President Obama attends working breakfast of the leaders of the G-8, African countries, and six international organizations

4:30AM: President Obama attends meeting of leaders of the G-8, African countries, and six international organizations

6:35AM: President Obama holds bilateral meeting with South African President Jacob Zuma

8:00AM: President Obama holds press conference

10:00AM: President Obama meets with Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone

10:15AM: President Obama attends bilateral meeting with Pope Benedict XVI

10:40AM: The first family has an audience with Pope Benedict XVI

12:00PM: President Obama and Michelle Obama depart Rome, Italy en route Accra, Ghana

5:20PM: President Obama and Michelle Obama arrive in Accra, Ghana