President Trump Meeting Pope Francis At The Vatican This Month
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Pope Francis will meet with President Donald Trump at the Vatican later this month.
The meeting will take place on May 24 at the Papal Palace, the Vatican Press Office announced Thursday.
The president will also travel to Saudi Arabia and Israel later this month in his first international trip since taking office, CBS2's Dick Brennan reported.
The news comes as Trump signs an executive order protecting religious freedom.
The order scales back an Obama administration mandate that requires religious organizations to provide contraception services in employee's health plans.
"Not only are we a nation of faith but we are a national of tolerance. As we look at the violence around the world, and believe me, it's violent -- I get to see it perhaps better than anybody -- we realize how truly blessed we are to live in a nation that honors the freedom of worship," Trump said.
The order also relaxes IRS rules that prohibit tax-exempt churches and organizations from engaging in politics and supporting candidates.