VATICAN CITY—President Barack Obama and Pope Francis met for the first time on Thursday, holding a symbolic discussion that sidestepped their differences on social issues and focused heavily on their shared interest in economic inequality.

The White House had hoped the highly anticipated visit with the popular pontiff might help draw attention to Mr. Obama's economic agenda. The meeting also took place against a backdrop of divisions between the pope and the president on issues such as gay marriage and contraception.

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