Obamas gush over meeting Pope

Published April 29, 2011

Michelle Obama has been the first lady since 2009 and spoke about her experiences with Oprah — File Photo

WASHINGTON: President Barack Obama and wife Michelle revealed to day time talk queen Oprah Winfrey that one of their biggest thrills as president and first lady had been seeing their kids meet Pope Benedict XVI.

Obama and his wife were asked about their best moments as a family since they moved into the White House in January 2009.

“A lot of our foreign travel for me I think, watching Malia and Sasha Obama ... meet the pope,” said the first lady in remarks released of the interview's full airing on Monday.

The president said that as they waited to meet Pope Benedict XVI in the Vatican his girls had started to get weary.

“Apparently they were getting tired and they wanted to sit on the floor in the Sistine Chapel,” he said. “Apparently each time they saw somebody in a frock they'd say, is that the pope?”

Obama had an audience with the pontiff and visited the Vatican as part of a European trip in July 2009, with his wife and daughters Malia, who is now 12 and Sasha, who is 9.

Opinion

Editorial

IMF’s projections
Updated 18 Apr, 2024

IMF’s projections

The problems are well-known and the country is aware of what is needed to stabilise the economy; the challenge is follow-through and implementation.
Hepatitis crisis
18 Apr, 2024

Hepatitis crisis

THE sheer scale of the crisis is staggering. A new WHO report flags Pakistan as the country with the highest number...
Never-ending suffering
18 Apr, 2024

Never-ending suffering

OVER the weekend, the world witnessed an intense spectacle when Iran launched its drone-and-missile barrage against...
Saudi FM’s visit
Updated 17 Apr, 2024

Saudi FM’s visit

The government of Shehbaz Sharif will have to manage a delicate balancing act with Pakistan’s traditional Saudi allies and its Iranian neighbours.
Dharna inquiry
17 Apr, 2024

Dharna inquiry

THE Supreme Court-sanctioned inquiry into the infamous Faizabad dharna of 2017 has turned out to be a damp squib. A...
Future energy
17 Apr, 2024

Future energy

PRIME MINISTER Shehbaz Sharif’s recent directive to the energy sector to curtail Pakistan’s staggering $27bn oil...