Obama tells pope he will reduce abortions

Bioethics and life issues such as abortion were a significant part of the conversation when Obama met with the pope privately for about 40 minutes at the Vatican. “Obama told the pope of his commitment to reduce the number of abortions and of his attention and respect for the positions of the Catholic Church,” Vatican spokesman Federico Lombardi told reporters. A written statement from the Vatican said the discussion between the two men included “the defense and promotion of life and the right to abide by one’s conscience.” ERLC