Obama to meet Pope Francis during three-country visit

WASHINGTON, Jan. 21 (UPI) -- President Obama will meet with Pope Francis in March during a diplomatic trip to the Netherlands, Belgium and Italy, the White House said Tuesday.

"The president looks forward to discussing with Pope Francis their shared commitment to fighting poverty and growing inequality," the White House said in a statement on the planned March 27 meeting.

While in the Netherlands March 24-25, Obama will attend the Nuclear Security Summit, "where world leaders will highlight progress made to secure nuclear materials and commit to future steps to prevent nuclear terrorism," the White House said in a statement.

Obama will be in Brussels March 26 for a U.S.-European Union summit with presidents of the European Council and the European Commission. The White House said Obama also will have bilateral events with Belgian officials and with the NATO leaders.

While in Rome, Obama will meet with President Giorgio Napolitano and Prime Minister Enrico Letta.