Gauck spoke on Thursday of a "very friendly" and "very open" meeting between the two. They discussed the need "for the people to keep alive the awareness of the value of the European idea" given the current economic crisis.

The meeting in the Apostolic Palace was the first between the German-born pope and the German president, who is a former Lutheran pastor. "I come as a president, as a fellow countryman, and above all a man of God," said Gauck when he greeted the pope in front of the private library.

In talks behind closed doors, the topic of conversation switched between politics and religion. The discussion centered on the impact of the economic crisis, and the role of the church and Germany within Europe. "When two Christians meet each other, then they also speak about God," the president said. Gauck said he was there not just to represent Protestants in Germany, but also to send a signal to the 25 million Catholics in the country.