Francis has shown a great interest in Iraq and its people that have suffered so much since the U.S.-led invasion in 2003.

He succeeds Cardinal Angelo Sodano, 92, who was dean for almost 15 years.

Mr. Pence told Francis “you made me a hero” back home by granting him the private audience.

This week on “Inside the Vatican,” the hosts look at the appointment of Francesca di Giovanni to a top role in the Vatican's Secretariat of State.

Francis called on all Christians “to work together to show to the migrants the love of God revealed in Jesus Christ.”

The Vatican revealed that the pope and president discussed “the good existing bilateral relations” between the Holy See and the Democratic Republic of the Congo and expressed “satisfaction” at the ratification of the framework agreement between the two countries on matters of mutual interest.