On President Donald J. Trump’s eight-day trip to the Middle East and Europe — the first of his presidency — he is reaffirming America’s global leadership, continuing to build important relationships with world leaders, and delivering a message of unity to America’s friends and Allies. After his visit to Saudi Arabia, he goes on to Israel, Italy, and Belgium and later attends both the NATO and G7 summits. First Lady Melania Trump is accompanying President Trump on the trip.
Touring the Sistine Chapel
President Trump and the First Lady (above) admire the Sistine Chapel masterpiece by Michelangelo, after meeting with Pope Francis on May 24 in Vatican City. The President said meeting Pope Francis was the “honor of a lifetime,” one that left him “more determined than ever to pursue peace in our world.”
Meeting European allies
Belgium Prime Minister Charles Michel welcomes President Trump and the First Lady upon their May 24 arrival in Brussels. The President is in Brussels to meet with European Union and NATO officials. (White House/Shealah Craighead)
Deep ties of history
President Trump and the First Lady tour St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City, the seat of the Roman Catholic Church. The President later met with Italian President Sergio Mattarella and Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni, with whom the President renewed “the deep ties of history and friendship that link together the American and the Italian peoples.” (White House/Andrea Hanks)
Reaffirming shared values
President Trump arrives in Vatican City May 24 and meets with Pope Francis. The two discussed what the international community can do to promote human rights, combat suffering, and protect religious freedom. The President noted the U.S. is spending $300 million to fight famines in Yemen, Sudan, Somalia, and Nigeria. (White House/Andrea Hanks)
From horror to hope
On a morning shrouded by the murder of innocents in Manchester, England, President Trump journeyed to the biblical city of Bethlehem on the West Bank May 23 to meet with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. He spoke of hope for a lasting peace in the Middle East and a world rid of extremism and intolerance. “We cannot stand a moment longer for this slaughter of innocent people,” the President said on his fourth and final day in the region before departing for Rome. (© Mohamed Torokman/Reuters)
Laying the groundwork for lasting peace
President Trump and Palestinian Authority President Abbas stand May 23 during the playing of their national anthems. They later spoke of their commitment to forging a peace agreement with Israel. “Peace is a choice we must make each day, and the United States is here to help make that dream possible for young Jewish, Christian, and Muslim children all across the region,” President Trump said. He praised the determination of President Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to work in good faith for a lasting peace and added, “I intend to do everything I can to help them achieve that goal.” (© AP Images)
Bringing nations together
President Trump capped his four days in Saudi Arabia, Israel, and the West Bank with a major address pointing the way toward peace not only in the Middle East but in the entire world. “We must drive out the terrorists and the extremists from our midst, obliterate this evil ideology, and protect and defend our citizens and people of the world,” he said May 23 at the Israel Museum in Jerusalem. “Conflict cannot continue forever. The only question is when nations will decide that they have had enough — enough bloodshed, enough killing. Change must come from within.” (© Lior Mizrahi/Getty Images)
Hospital visit
Strengthening the U.S.-Israeli friendship
A historic first
“It will leave an impression on me forever,” President Trump said May 22 after visiting the Western Wall in Jerusalem, Judaism’s holiest prayer site. He is the first sitting president to visit the wall. (© Ronan Zyulun/Reuters)
In the Christian Quarter of the Old City
President Trump and Melania Trump visit the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in the Old City of Jerusalem on May 22. The church is said to contain two of the holiest sites of Christianity, the site of the crucifixion and Jesus’ tomb. (U.S. Embassy Tel Aviv/Matty Stern)
Preparing for arrival
An Israeli piccolo player rehearses for the arrival of President Trump on May 22, the second day of his eight-day international trip. During his stay in Israel President Trump reaffirmed America’s unshakable bond with the Jewish state. (© Amir Cohen/Reuters)
A new era of cooperation
U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson reaches a historic agreement with Crown Prince Muhammad bin Nayef bin Abdulaziz Al Saud to pursue, in Tillerson’s words, “new approaches to disrupting financing of terrorism.” The two countries will co-chair the Terrorist Financing Targeting Center, which expands regional cooperation in fighting threats to international peace. (© AP Images)
A busy day
On May 21, a Saudi worker sets up for President Trump’s meetings with the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, the Amir of Kuwait, the President of Egypt, the Amir of Qatar and the King of Bahrain. He also took part in a Gulf Cooperation Council meeting on preventing terrorist financing. “My meetings … have been filled with great warmth, good will, and tremendous cooperation,” the President said. (© Jonathan Ernst/Reuters)
Grateful guests, hospitable hosts
“Words do not do justice to the grandeur of this remarkable place and the incredible hospitality you have shown us,” President Trump said to Saudi officials in a speech May 21. Here, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud escorts the President and the First Lady to a royal banquet at the Al Murabba Palace in Riyadh. Traditional dishes, such as lamb with rice, were served. (White House/Shealah Craighead)
Images of Unity
The flags of the United States and Saudi Arabia are projected May 20 on the façade of the Ritz Carlton Hotel along with the faces of President Trump and King Salman, offering a dramatic sight at the end of a day that included the sounds of trumpets playing and a military flyover to mark the President’s historic visit. (© Jonathan Ernst/Reuters)
Dancing with the Saudis
A sword-carrying President Trump beams as he and King Salman (third from left) join a troupe of traditional Saudi sword dancers for a performance before the Royal Banquet Dinner in the President’s honor. (© AP Images)
Historic day
President Trump and King Salman sign major defense and economic agreements May 20. The President called it “a tremendous day” that will bring hundreds of billions of dollars in investments and “jobs, jobs, jobs” into the United States. (© Mandel Ngan/AFP/Getty)
A moment of high honor
The President admires the gold Collar of Abdulla al-Saud Medal, which he received from King Salman in a ceremony at the Saudi Royal Court in Riyadh on May 20. The citation reads: “For President Donald Trump, the president of the United States of America, for his efforts to strengthen the relationship between the two friendly countries and his quest to enhance security and peace in the region and the world.” (© Jonathan Ernst/Reuters)
Solidifying a long-held friendship
With portraits of Saudi Arabia’s founders behind them, President Trump converses with King Salman after the welcome ceremony at the Royal Terminal of King Khalid International Airport on May 20. (© AP Images)
Red-carpet welcome
The President’s first stop was in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Here, he is greeted by King Salman and presented with the kingdom’s highest civilian honor. A Saudi honor guard stands at attention. (© Bandar Algaloud/Saudi Royal Council/Anadolu/Getty)
